Avoid watering in the middle of the day, to prevent the sun from burning leaves.
Plants, especially young plants, are living creatures that need tending. Once established plants are very resilient to various extremes of temperature and moisture. Still, watering on a schedule is the best idea. Regular watering from a sprinkler, drip hose, or by hand will result in the most healthy and productive plants. Young plants and seedlings do need to maintain adequate moisture to prevent any of their few new roots from drying up and not recovering. But overwatering can kill young roots too. It’s harder to overwater with well-drained soil.
Convenient access to potable water will make it much easier to keep your plants watered. Even if you have some form of automatic irrigation, it is good to have water nearby so you can water in initial plantings, wash produce, and wash your hands.
Title: Secrets to Watering Your Vegetable Garden the Right Way
Author/Source: The Creative Vegetable Gardener
Description: Article and video provide nine tips and techniques to help you master the art of watering your vegetable garden this season. Includes links to different types of rain gauges.
Title: When to Water Your Vegetables -- Watering Chart
Author/Source: The Old Farmer's Almanac
Description: How much water do you really need? When is the best time to water your vegetables? Tips on watering your garden—plus, a chart of when and how much to water specific crops.
Title: 10 Smart Watering Tips for a Healthy Garden
Author/Source: The Old Farmer's Almanac
Description: Watering at the right time, in the right place, and using the right methods can make a big difference in how much water your garden needs. This short video shares ten tried-and-tested tips for saving water in the garden.