Six expert tips on how to keep your garden alive while you’re on holiday

Going away this summer but don’t have a plan in place for your garden?

Well, there’s no time like the present to make one.

After all, you won’t want all your hard work to be undone with one trip abroad.

And not everyone has friends or family around to help them out while they’re out of town.

Nat White, of Rated People, a find-a-tradesperson platform, said: ‘Left alone in extreme heat and without water, even for just a week or two, many gardens may become parched, dried out and looking worse for wear.

‘So it’s vital homeowners put a plan in place to care for their plants, vegetable patches, lawns and outdoor spaces whilst they’re away. ‘

That’s why Nat has shared some top tips from the experts on how to keep your garden alive and thriving from afar this summer…

Mow before you go

To minimise the work you’ll have to do when you get back, do your grass trimming before you leave.

‘Preferably later in the day when the sun isn’t as strong,’ Nat suggests, ‘and then give it a good watering in the evening.

‘Whilst it might be tempting to cut your grass right down, don’t. Shorter grass is more vulnerable to dry out from the heat so just give it a healthy cut to keep it under control.’

DIY water bottle drip systems

You can help your plants get water from afar with this clever trick.

‘Flower beds, vegetable patches or plants in pots are likely to suffer from draught whilst you’re away if it doesn’t rain, so creating DIY watering systems throughout your garden could be a game changer,’ says Nat.

‘Take some clean and empty plastic bottles, add a handful of small holes near the top and flip upside down. Then fill them with water and place them just below the surface of the soil, making sure they’re not too close to the plants but evenly spread around.

‘The water will slowly leak from the bottles as the soil dries out around them whilst you’re away. These can be planted around the garden, in flower beds, in larger plant pots or in spaces where plants will need extra help staying hydrated.’  

DIY water-wicking systems

And that’s not the only crafty task that can help.

‘This is perfect for container plants or smaller garden plants (and even houseplants) where water bottles aren’t suitable,’ says Nat.

‘Take some thick string or rope and place one end within the soil, preferably near the root, so the plant gets as much of the water as possible. Take the other end of the rope and place it in a large container of water, making sure to weigh the end of it down, so it’s submerged in the water.

‘Place it higher than the plant as this will allow the water to travel down the rope and ensures the plant gets watered throughout your holiday. If you have a few smaller plants near each other, you can create a series of drip systems using the same water container.

‘A large container should be enough to keep smaller potted plants watered for around a week.’

Seek shade

Any moveable plants would do well kept out of the sun while you’re gone.

‘Especially if we experience another heatwave where UV levels are high,’ adds Nat.

‘If you have shaded areas in your garden, moving your potted plants there will mean they lose less water to the heat and this will help to keep them hydrated for longer.’

A big drink before you go

Make sure you give your plants a decent dose of water before you make tracks.

‘You want to make sure it’s had a healthy watering before you leave it for a while,’ Nat explains, ‘so spend some time making sure each area of the garden gets some attention.

‘Whilst you don’t want to overdo it and leave your flower beds flooded, a slightly heavier watering than usual will help your plants survive whilst you’re away.’  

Make sure you mulch

Mulching is a good idea year-round, but in the summertime, it’s particularly handy.

‘Adding mulch to anywhere that’s susceptible to draught can help to lock in moisture, block weeds and enrich soil with nutrients,’ says Nat.

‘You can use garden compost or any organic matter like wood chippings, grass cuttings (from that mow you did before you go) or even shredded cardboard.

‘To mulch your plants, give them a good watering first and then spread a thick layer of your mulching material that’s at least 5cm deep on the soil around the plants.’

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