Best time of day to water

I am off to work shortly and will return mid-afternoon and the temperature forecast today is 23C.

Is it better to water before I go, or wait until evening?

Hope you didnt leave already I like to water in the morning myself.

both! if only once than early is best. Too late in the evening may entice insects to do their damage and can promote bad bacterial/mold growth too. Two moderate amounts is much better than one dousing, your MM will better stay nice and evenly moist that way. During high noon sun is not a good time to water. I am getting ready to setup some kind of drip system in my SFG's and plan to time it for two times a day. I live in the hot, humid, rainy during mid summertime Iowa corn belt.

Thanks so much for your advice.

I took a chance and have just finished watering my two SFG boxes.

Everything in there is looking good. Transplants are making new growth and some of the seeds are showing. Naturally the first harvest will be radishes, the first square seeded two weeks ago.

This SFG site is such a wonderful place to be.

I prefer to water once, in the mornng so the leaves, if they got wet, have a chance to dry off during the day.
I also like to water deeply so the roots will grow down looking for moisture making their roots stronger and able to handle large crops. I believe that watering twice a day lightly doesn't help, but rather hinders. It keeps the roots near the top of the soil since they don't have to go hunting for moisture so the roots don't develop as strongly.

Of course if one doesn't have a very deep bed, it may work better than way but I have 12" deep ones so I water deeply.

To encourage good root growth, water seldom and deeeeeeply. However, in an SFG, you don't have the space for deep roots. So, you water to keep the MM moist only. Climatology plays the largest role. If you live in west Texas, you water constantly because the heat and wind dry everything out. If you live in a more humid area, you won't lose as much water. Also, if you live in cooler climates, you will likely require less water.

Watering earlier in the day is best. You want things dried OFF...not dried out...by evening. The humidity and dew will be moist enough to get molds, mildews, fungi, and insects going crazy. Don't help mother nature in that arena!

If you must water after work, try and do so when there is still enough time for things to dry off a bit. And, if you are so busy you have to water whenever you can, that's what you do. Just be ready to fight a little fungus from time to time, too.....just added adventure. But, it is what it is. You do what you are able.

Happy Gardening!