Gardening in Texas presents unique challenges due to our extreme weather conditions—scorching summers, unpredictable droughts, and sudden downpours can turn a thriving garden into a wilted mess overnight.
Knowing when NOT to water your plants is just as crucial as knowing when they need a drink. Many gardeners make costly mistakes by watering at the wrong times, especially in our temperamental
Texas climate. Here are 15 situations when you should keep that hose or sprinkler system turned off.
1. During The Midday Heat
Water droplets act like tiny magnifying glasses during peak sun hours, potentially scorching your plants’ leaves. The intense Texas heat causes rapid evaporation, meaning much of your water never reaches the roots where it’s needed.
Most of what you spray simply vanishes into the air. I’ve watched neighbors faithfully water at noon, then wonder why their plants struggle despite regular attention.
The soil doesn’t have time to properly absorb moisture when temperatures soar above 90 degrees, which happens almost daily during our summers.
2. Right Before A Forecasted Rainstorm
Watering before rain creates oversaturated soil that can drown roots and promote fungal diseases. Your plants might end up getting far more moisture than they need, especially during our famous Texas downpours that can drop inches of rain in hours.
The combination often leads to root rot and nutrient leaching. I once soaked my vegetable garden right before an unexpected storm rolled through Austin, and my tomato plants never recovered from the waterlogged soil.
Check weather forecasts regularly during spring and fall when our rainfall patterns are most unpredictable.
3. During Water Restrictions
Many Texas municipalities enforce strict watering schedules during drought conditions. Ignoring these restrictions can result in hefty fines, sometimes hundreds of dollars for repeat offenders.
Beyond legal consequences, watering during restrictions strains our already limited water resources. My neighborhood in San Antonio has experienced mandatory restrictions almost every summer for the past decade.
Instead of breaking rules, focus on drought-tolerant native plants and efficient watering techniques like drip irrigation that make the most of your allowed watering days.
4. When Winds Are High
Strong Texas winds quickly disperse water away from your target plants. Those spring and fall fronts that blow through at 20+ mph can make sprinkler irrigation almost useless as the water drifts off course.
Even worse, wind increases evaporation rates dramatically. Last March, I tried watering during a windy afternoon and noticed my flower beds remained bone dry despite running the sprinkler for 30 minutes.
Wind also causes uneven distribution, leaving some areas soaked while others receive nothing at all.
5. After Sunset During High Humidity
Evening watering in humid conditions creates the perfect environment for fungal diseases to develop overnight. The water doesn’t have time to dry before temperatures drop, leaving moisture clinging to leaves for hours.
Many Texas gardeners make this mistake during our humid late spring and early fall. My own rose bushes once developed black spot after I switched to evening watering during a particularly muggy September.
Moisture-loving pests like slugs and snails also become more active when gardens stay wet overnight.
6. When Soil Is Already Saturated
Adding more water to already wet soil pushes out valuable oxygen that roots need to survive. The clay soils common in many parts of Texas drain slowly, making overwatering especially problematic.
You can easily test soil moisture by pushing your finger an inch into the ground – if it feels wet, hold off watering. My vegetable garden in Houston’s gumbo soil would stay waterlogged for days after heavy rains.
Consistently oversaturated soil leads to yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and eventually root rot in most plants.
7. During Extreme Heat Advisories
Water evaporates almost instantly during triple-digit temperatures, making irrigation inefficient and wasteful. Plants often enter a survival mode during extreme heat, temporarily shutting down normal functions regardless of water availability.
The shock of cold water on superheated plant tissues can cause stress and damage. Last August during a 105-degree day, I watched my neighbor’s newly-watered plants wilt more severely after irrigation than before.
Focus instead on providing shade or waiting until conditions improve before watering.
8. While Using Fertilizer
Watering immediately after applying fertilizer can wash away nutrients before plants absorb them. This is especially true on sloped areas in many Texas landscapes, where runoff happens quickly.
The combination can also create concentrated pockets of fertilizer that burn roots. I learned this lesson the hard way when my newly fertilized lawn developed brown patches after a heavy watering session.
Always follow package directions for timing between fertilization and irrigation, typically waiting at least 24 hours for granular products to begin breaking down.
9. During Freezing Temperatures
Watering before or during a freeze can create deadly ice formations on and around your plants. Those surprise Texas cold snaps that drop temperatures from 70 to 30 degrees overnight are particularly dangerous times to water.
Wet soil conducts cold more efficiently than dry soil, potentially causing deeper root damage. During the February 2021 freeze, gardens that had been watered just before temperatures plummeted suffered more extensive damage across the state.
If freezing weather is approaching, keep the garden dry and use other protection methods instead.
10. With a Fast, Shallow Sprinkle
Brief watering sessions encourage shallow root growth that can’t withstand Texas heat or drought. Plants develop weak, surface-level root systems that become completely dependent on frequent watering.
The top inch may look wet while deeper soil remains bone dry. My first Texas garden failed because I watered daily for just a few minutes, creating weak plants that collapsed during our first hot spell.
Deep, infrequent watering trains roots to grow downward where they can access moisture reserves during dry periods.
11. During Pest Outbreaks
Extra moisture during active pest infestations can actually worsen the problem for many Texas gardens. Fire ants, for example, become more active after irrigation, often building new mounds overnight in freshly watered areas.
Some insects lay eggs in moist soil, accelerating population growth. Last summer, my cucumber plants were battling squash bugs when I decided to water heavily, only to find the pest population had doubled by the next morning.
Address pest issues first, then return to normal watering once the situation is under control.
12. On Freshly Planted Seeds
Aggressive watering can displace newly sown seeds or bury them too deeply to germinate properly. The force of water from a hose or sprinkler often creates channels in the soil, carrying seeds away from their intended locations.
This is especially problematic in Texas where sudden heavy rains can follow your planting session. I once scattered wildflower seeds across a prepared bed, watered too forcefully, and ended up with all the bluebonnets clustered in one corner.
Use a gentle mister, spray bottle, or soaker hose for new seedbeds instead.
13. When Plants Are Actively Wilting
Contrary to instinct, watering severely wilted plants during peak heat can shock their systems. Plants often wilt temporarily as a natural defense mechanism during the hottest part of Texas days, even with adequate soil moisture.
Suddenly drenching heat-stressed plants forces them to rapidly shift from conservation mode to absorption mode. I’ve noticed my pepper plants naturally wilt every afternoon around 3pm in July and August, then recover on their own by evening.
Check soil moisture first – if it’s not actually dry, wait for cooler temperatures before watering.
14. Using Untimed Automatic Systems
Automatic sprinklers that run regardless of weather conditions waste enormous amounts of water in Texas. Many neighborhoods have that one house with sprinklers running during rainstorms, a painful sight in our drought-prone state.
These systems often apply water unevenly, creating soggy spots and dry patches. My first automatic system ran for the same duration year-round until I realized my summer water bill had tripled.
Smart controllers that adjust to weather conditions or simple rain sensors can prevent most of these problems.
15. With Chlorinated Water On Sensitive Plants
Highly chlorinated municipal water can harm beneficial soil microorganisms and sensitive plants. Many Texas cities increase chlorine levels during summer months when water quality concerns rise with higher temperatures.
Acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries are particularly vulnerable to chlorine damage. My own blueberry bushes struggled until I started collecting rainwater instead of using tap water straight from the hose.
If you must use treated water, fill containers and let them sit overnight to allow chlorine to dissipate before watering sensitive plants.