Watering Garden in Hot Water: Is It Necessary?

You probably have heard some of the gardening myths and lore that includes watering gardens in hot water. Some people believe that watering water with warm water can be good for the plants as it will encourage effective growth. But then again, how warm is considered ‘safe warm’ anyway? That’s why it’s important to know your gardening facts before you start pouring boiling water on your plants.

The Science

You know that the roots need the proper treatment and care to thrive and grow well. The roots need the proper temperature, which is set at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, to absorb nutrients and water. Within this temperature, the water still has plenty of oxygen. Not to mention that this temperature would be the right one that triggers the roots’ pump mechanism.

Well, if the temperature is lower, the mechanism won’t be able to work and function properly. If the temperature is too high, the roots won’t be able to absorb the oxygen. Moreover, the combo of oxygen absence and high temperature can lead to the increase of bacterial and mold infestation. The plants would be prone to disease and pests attacks.

So, if you are wondering can I use warm water to water plants, here’s the basic fact. You can use warm water up to 68 degrees and that’s it. Whether you use hot or cold water, it doesn’t really do your plants any good. In short, there’s no magical way to utilize boiling or hot water for better plant treatment.

The Truth about Hot Water

However, it doesn’t always mean that hot water is always bad for the plants. When applied correctly and properly, hot water can actually function as an effective remedy for pathogens and pests. When compared to home remedies and pesticides, hot water can eliminate weeds and pests. When you have unwanted plants or weeds issues, boiling water can actually help. This is the right time for watering the garden in hot water.

But if you want to water your plants regularly (just like the regular watering routine), the regular water is fine. Use the one at room temperature and you should have no issue. If you want to use the hot water for weed control, this is definitely a natural way that can actually work. But make sure that you limit the hot water only to the intended area so the water won’t run to your favorite plants.

Water and Heat Treat

You can try heat treatment when you have pests issues. In fact, heat treatment is one of the oldest methods against mites, mealybugs, scale, and aphids. It’s also believed that you can disinfect the seeds with this method to destroy fungal and bacterial pathogens.

Keep in mind, though, that the ideal temperature is around 120 degrees Fahrenheit or around 48 degrees Celsius. The highest one should be not more than 50 degrees Celsius or 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

The key is to do proper application. Use a probe thermometer when necessary. You can submerge the whole pot in a water container. Let it sit for 5 minutes to 20 minutes. The probe thermometer can be used to check the root ball’s inside. When it’s reaching 46 degrees Celsius or 115 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the pot to avoid overheating the roots.

In the end, using hot water is possible when you deal with pests. But you need to do proper application of watering the garden in hot water so you won’t damage or kill your plants.