Prepare Your Plants for Your Summer Travel: Complete These 5 Essential Steps to Ensure Their Survival While You're Away
Traveling this summer but don't want to leave your plants high and dry? Worry no more! Here's the lowdown on how to keep your beloved houseplants and garden thriving while you're sunbathing on a beach somewhere.
Before taking off, grab a coffee, and let's get to it.
Keeping Houseplants Alive on Vacation
- Self-Watering Planters
Treat yourself to a splurge before you jet off: snag some top-notch self-watering planters, just like these sleek numbers from Crescent Garden. They'll keep your plants quenched even when you're not around to water them. Don't be fooled by their high price tag – it's an investment that will pay off in spades!
- Shade 'Em All
Move your potted plants and hanging baskets to a shady spot. The riskiest part about leaving town is the chance your plants will perish from dehydration. Even drought-tolerant plants are safer in the shade when you're away.
Stash your sun-worshipers in a cool, shadowy corner of your patio, porch, or garden and watch the water loss slow down during those hot afternoons. No harm done when you return home; your plants will be more than happy back in their sunbathing spots.
- Automate the Waterworks
If you're vacaying for over a week or two, consider investing in a hose timer to keep your garden watered while you're sipping cocktails on the sand. The Simoniz Hose Timer from Home Depot is a straightforward, affordable option that's a must-have for even the least tech-savvy gardeners out there.
Set up the timer, connect your hose and sprinkler system, and decide how long and often you'd like it to water your garden. With this timer and a drip irrigation system like the DIG DIY Kit, you can rest easy knowing your garden is well-hydrated when you return.
- Let the Mulch Grow
Before you hit the road, throw down some mulch in your garden. Mulch helps conserve moisture and keeps weeds at bay, saving you time weeding when you come home. Use wood chips or compost as your magic mulch material to boost your soil’s health. Make sure to use at least 1-inch (or 2.5 cm) of mulch for best results.
- Eat Up!
Harvest all your food that’s ripe or will ripen while you're gone to keep critters from chowing down on your garden. Share your bounty with friends, family, or neighbors, or consider donating it to your local food bank to ensure it doesn't go to waste.
If you can't chow down on everything, preserve your ripe produce by freezing, canning, or pickling it to enjoy when you're home again. There's nothing like coming home to a stash of garden-fresh goodies!
Now you're ready to enjoy a worry-free vacation, knowing your plants will be just fine!
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Laura Walters
Laura Walters, a Content Editor on our platform since 2021, brings extensive experience to the table. With a BFA in Electronic Media from the University of Cincinnati, a certificate in Writing for Television from UCLA, and a background in documentary filmmaking and local news, Laura loves providing gardeners with the expertise and entertainment they need to thrive. Laura cultivates her passion in Southwest Ohio and enjoys spending her summers on a lake in Northern Michigan.
Extra Bits of Green Genius
- Group houseplants together in totes or trays to boost humidity and retain moisture, reducing water loss and stress on plants.
- Prune plants that are blooming or producing to redirect energy towards healthier growth while you're away.
- Install soaker hoses or water bags for young trees or shrubs to provide consistent moisture while you're away.
- Don't forget to water your plants thoroughly before leaving to ensure they have enough moisture to sustain them until you return.
After setting up the timer and sprinkler system with the Simoniz Hose Timer, consider adding a DIG DIY Drip Irrigation System to ensure your garden remains well- hydrated during your vacation.
Before leaving, cover your plants in a shady spot to decrease the risk of dehydration while you're away. Opt for a self-watering planter like the ones from Crescent Garden to keep your houseplants quenched while on vacation.
