The holiday is booked, the weather looks great, but oh – what about the plants in the garden – especially if there’s a heatwave while I’m away!
This is definitely a problem to solve with the unknown temperatures heading our way this summer. i can do deep water Before I go, but it won’t be long and my neighbors are old, so they can’t help me.
I have contacted our garden experts for advice How do they take care of their plants when they are on vacation?So I don’t come home looking too sad Plants that I keep alive For the past few months.
1. Pre-care before you go
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The best place to start is to give your garden some pre-prep before you head out.
Julien Palframand, Head of Plant at British Garden Centres, Agree, ‘If you’re going for two weeks, the key is to give your plants a really good soak before you leave. Don’t just spray the surface; Make sure you water deeply so the moisture reaches the roots.’
It is possible to make watering errors, However – Julian says don’t drink too much water; Things should be a bit on the dry side rather than too watery and soggy. Another great tip from him Pots and Hanging baskets: ‘These are usually the first to dry out, so it helps to move them out of full sun if you can, and group containers together to create a more sheltered spot.’
‘Before you go,’ says horticultural expert Liam Cleary Old Railway Line Garden Centre. ‘It’s also worth removing any faded flowers or fruit that are ready to be picked. Plants put a surprising amount of energy into producing flowers and seeds, so leaving them helps you focus on staying healthy while you’re away.’
Mulching is very beneficial as it retains moisture in the soil. we like B&Q’s Fargro Strulch organic garden mulch; It’s £21.99 for a 9kg bag. Or if you like a decorative finish that’s also practical, look no further Amazon’s spruce ornamental bark mulch, known to help in summer heat, £20.99 for 60 litres..
2. Watering spikes
(Image credit: Future plc/Mark Bolton)
‘Watering spikes made from terracotta Extremely popular and easy to set up,’ advises gardening expert and greenhouse expert Lucy Bradley Easy Garden Irrigation.
Based on ancient ‘olla’ irrigation, the porous soil allows water to seep into the soil when it dries out. Soak the spike in water for a few hours, then push it into the soil near the roots. Then you get an empty bottle, fill it with water and insert it into the spike that acts as the reservoir.
Crocus sells a pair for £7.99 It is made from natural clay, which will fit into a wine bottle. If you prefer to use the plastic version, then check out Amazon’s six-pack for £7.95; They come with adapters for different size bottles.
3. Capillary matting
(Image credit: Future plc/ Darren Chung)
Capillary matting is a great option, and can be used in the greenhouse or outdoors.
“Before moving away, line the plant saucer or tray with a layer of absorbent material, such as capillary matting,” suggests Richard Barker, horticulturist. LBS Horticulture. Add water to the material and then place the potted plants on top of their saucers or trays. The plant will be able to extract water from the material when required.’
You’ll need a flat tray – we like it Amazon’s EarlyGrow three-pack trays, £23.95. For capillary matting, try B&Q’s Verve Capillary Matting Sheets, a pack of five for £3Or you can buy in rolls if you want a larger portion.
Or, take a look at Tesco’s Plantpack watering tray kit, which comes complete with tray and capillary matting, £12.99.
4. Cotton wicks
(Image credit: Future plc/Colin Poole)
This is an idea that I think is genius, and I will definitely try it!
‘You can use a cotton wick to water multiple plants at once when you’re away,’ explains Richard. Bury one end of a cotton twine or piece of cloth a few inches deep into the plant’s soil. Dip the other end of the cotton in a container or bucket filled with water, making sure the water is placed higher than the plant. Cotton will continuously drip water into the ground when it is dry.’
It works in a similar way to capillary matting – the cotton string constantly draws water from the reservoir – and is a great value option.
You need to use 100% natural cotton string or rope. Amazon sells ten meters of self-absorbing cotton rope for £3.99.
5. Drip irrigation
(Image credit: Future plc/Colin Poole)
‘You can fully automate watering plants, whether you’re on holiday or not, using Drip irrigation system,’ says Richard. ‘The system hooks directly into your garden tap, and you can install a water timer in the tap to control when the water is released. Attach a soaker hose or drip system to a timer, and place it on a flower bed or in pots.’
When you’re setting up a new watering system, Richard advises testing it for a few weeks before you go, ‘You may need to adjust the water timer and pressure to find the right settings.’
we like Drip Irrigation System 25 Adjustable Dripper from Easy Garden Irrigation, currently priced at £54.99. It has all parts up to 25 plant containers or 12.5 meters of hedging/six meters of flower borders.
Watering requirements of plants
Automatic Electronic Water Gardening Hose Water Timer Irrigation System
This handy water timer can be set on the watering system while you’re away and also works with sprinklers. It requires two AAA batteries and is easily programmable.
Hoselock Drip Watering Kit 15 Pot, Complete System Kit
Ideal for windowsill pots, hanging baskets and small containers, this complete system also comes with a timer. It can water your garden in five minutes to two hours and keep the water right at the roots.
Richard Jackson Easy Self Watering Planter, 35cm
Self-watering plant pots are a quick fix, although re-potting when you return can affect your plants. But we like the idea with its built-in reservoir and wick system, and it comes in three colors.
These great ideas from our experts are really worth a try, and after the hours of care we all invest in our plants and gardens, we want them to still look beautiful when we return from our holidays.
