The holiday is booked, the weather looks great, but oh – what about the plants in the garden – especially if we have a heatwave while I’m away!
This is definitely a problem to solve this summer with unknown temperatures heading our way. I can deep water before I go, but that won’t last long and my neighbours are elderly, so they can’t help me.
I have turned to our garden experts for advice on how they look after their plants when they’re on holiday, so I don’t come home to very sad-looking plants that I’ve been keeping alive for the last few months.
1. Pre-care before you leave
The best place to start is by giving your garden some pre-prep before you leave.
Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, agrees, ‘If you’re heading off for two weeks, the main thing is to give your plants a really good soak before you leave. Don’t just sprinkle the surface; make sure you water deeply so the moisture reaches the roots.’
It is possible to make watering mistakes, though – Julian does say don’t overwater; things should be on the slightly dry side rather than overwatered and soggy. Another great tip from him is regarding 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 leave,’ says Liam Cleary, gardening expert at the Old Railway Line Garden Centre. ‘It’s also worth removing any faded flowers or fruit that’s ready to pick. Plants put a surprising amount of energy into producing flowers and seeds, so taking those off helps them focus on staying healthy while you’re away.’
Mulching is very beneficial as it keeps the 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 practical too, have a look at Amazon’s Spruce ornamental bark mulch, it’s known for helping with summer heat, £20.99 for 60 litres.
2. Watering spikes
‘Watering spikes made from terracotta are extremely popular and easy to set up,’ advises Lucie Bradley, gardening expert and greenhouse expert at Easy Garden Irrigation.
Based on ancient ‘olla’ irrigation, the porous clay allows water to seep into the soil when it dries out. Soak the spike in water for a couple of 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 a reservoir.
Crocus sell a pair for £7.99 that will fit a wine bottle, they are made from natural clay. If you prefer to use a plastic version, then check out Amazon’s six-pack for £7.95; they come with an adapter for different-sized bottles.
3. Capillary matting
Capillary matting is a great option, and it can be used in greenhouses or outside.
‘Before going away, line plant saucers or trays with a layer of an absorbent material, such as capillary matting,’ suggests Richard Barker, horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture. ‘Add water to the material, and then place potted plants back on top of their saucer or tray. The plant will be able to draw water from the material when it needs it.’
You will need a flat tray – we like Amazon’s EarlyGrow three-pack of trays, £23.95. For capillary matting, try B&Q’s Verve capillary matting sheets, pack of five for £3, or you can buy in rolls if you want a large piece.
Or, have a look at Tesco’s Plantpak watering tray kit, which comes complete with trays and capillary matting, £12.99.
4. Cotton wicks
This is an idea that I think is genius, and I’ll definitely be trying it!
Richard explains, ‘You can use a cotton wick to water multiple plants at once while you are away. Bury one end of a piece of cotton twine or cloth a few inches deep into the soil of the plant. Submerge the other end of the cotton into a container or bucket filled with water, ensuring that the water is placed on a surface that is higher than the plant. The cotton will continuously drip water into the soil when it is dry.’
It works in the same way as capillary matting – the cotton cord continuously draws up water from a reservoir – and is a great value option.
You need to use 100% natural cotton string or rope. Amazon sell ten metres of self-watering absorbent cotton rope for £3.99.
5. Drip irrigation
‘You can automate plant watering completely, whether you are on holiday or not, by using a drip irrigation system,’ says Richard. ‘The system hooks directly to your garden tap, and you can install a water timer to the faucet to control when water is released. Attach a soaker hose or drip system to the timer, and lay this across flower beds or into pots.’
When you are setting up a new watering system, Richard does advise testing it for a few weeks before you go away, ‘You may need to adjust the water timer and pressure to find the right settings.’
We like the drip irrigation system 25 adjustable dripper from Easy Garden Irrigation, currently priced at £54.99. It has all the parts for up to 25 plant containers or 12.5 metres of hedging/six metres of flower borders.
Amazon have a 110 foot 90 pack kit with a quick connect system, it includes nozzles and sprinklers for your lawn too, £21.99.
Plant watering essentials
Automatic Electronic Water Gardening Hose Water Timer Irrigation System
This handy water timer can be set to a watering system while you are away, and it works with sprinklers too. It requires two AAA batteries and is easily programmable.
Hozelock Drip Watering Kit 15 Pot, Complete System Kit
Ideal for windowsill pots, hanging baskets and small containers, this complete system comes with a timer too. It can water your garden from five minutes to two hours and place the water right at the root.
Richard Jackson Easy Self Watering Planter, 35cm
Self-watering plant pots are a quick-fix solution, though re-potting when you’re back might affect your plants. But we do love this idea with its built-in reservoir and wick system, and it comes in three colours.
These great ideas from our experts are really worth trying, and after the hours of care we all invest in our plants and gardens, we want them to still look great when we get back from our holidays.
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