We all know the importance of staying hydrated when we go away on holidays. As this also applies to the living things we leave behind, it is important to have an effective watering method in place for your plants, so you don’t arrive home to sad, wilting leaves.
Follow these guidelines to water your plants and you can enjoy your time away guilt-free and not have to worry about coming home to a horticultural nightmare.
- Use a bottle
Just a few simple steps will turn a regular plastic bottle into an effective water dispenser. Fill the bottle with water and prick a small hole in the lid. Push the bottle upside down into the soil so that the lid is close to the roots. For the water to flow out of the bottle, the bottom of the bottle must be punctured with a few small airholes. If you are trying to cut down on your plastic usage and do not want to use a plastic bottle, you can also use an irrigation ball, which can water your plants for up to two weeks.
- Dip the plant
If you are planning a short trip, dipping potted plants before you leave may be sufficient. To do this, place the entire plant pot in a bucket of water. The pot should be fully submerged. Once there are no more bubbles, take the pot out of the bucket. The watered soil can store the moisture for a few days. However, this method is only suitable for non-sensitive plants (and might be a little messy!).
- Protect your garden
If you own a garden, you should take measures to protect your plants from the wind and sun. For example, cover flowerbeds with bark to keep the soil moist and protect it from rain and wind. Remove weeds as thoroughly as possible before you leave as they will compete with your plants for water.
- Invite a plant sitter
A cost-effective and reliable way to hire a plant sitter is to use someone that you know. Ask a friend, neighbour or family member to keep an eye on your plants and water them as often as is needed. However, if your friends are busy or you don’t want to burden anyone, you can easily find a plant sitter while you are away.
- Professional irrigation systems
If you don’t want to rely on the rain or friendly neighbours, you should consider an automatic irrigation system. Small spray taps are placed into your garden or flower pots. Through a computer installed on the tap, you can set the amount of water to be distributed and the time it should go off.