Grab a bottle of water and a long cotton wick. In rural areas, leaving your indoor plants outside may turn them into dinner for deer and other pests. It’s a science trick that works wonders for both vacationers and forgetful plant fans alike. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! However, when you choose to go on a vacation, things change. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. As long as the water’s on, your plants will stay hydrated … Apply the mulch to your garden by layering about 3 inches (7.6 cm) of mulch around the plants to help them retain more water while you are gone. Then, place the plastic bag over your potted plants, making sure to give the bag as little contact as possible with your plants. When the moisture level of the soil reduces, water will drain slowly from the globe to the soil. Take notes of your plants’ sun and watering requirements before you try any of the following solutions. The water will drip from the bottle, as and when the moisture level of the soil drops. Cheap, Easy, Leak-Safe Way to Water Plants While on Vacation: My husband and I like to take trips to exotic locales, but we also like the jungle-like explosion of houseplants we have in our apartment. Various products are now available for time-released irrigation. Place the plant pots on the tray. Go through this Gardenerdy article for a brief overview of the same. Learn how to install an irrigation system. Instead of soil, damp newspaper or sponge may also work. Now, water the soil thoroughly. Gardening . Before you start trying to find a new way to get them watered, you’re going to need to know their specific watering and sun schedule. To use a plastic water bottle, simply make a few holes in the cap using a drill or a hammer and nail. In this case too, you have to attach a timer to regulate watering. If you live in an area that has temperatures and rain levels that work with your plants, then temporarily placing them outdoors might be a smart way to save money on housekeepers and avoid more tech clutter. It comes with the connector, some small hose, some splitters and the ends that drip the water (water emitters), as well as some stakes. Water is one of the biggest concerns for your garden while you’re away. Take an empty beer bottle; clean and fill with water. Especially in the hot and dry summer months, your plants depend on an adequate water supply. Now, use a screwdriver to poke holes near the plants. We hope you are enjoying Gardenerdy! By Erica Daniels It’s time to get in vacation mode and leave your responsibilities behind! If you choose this route, make sure to put your sun-loving plants in indirect sunlight. Allow the water to soak in slowly to a depth of at least 6" to 8". Temperature is an issue here. Start by filling the bottle with water. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This combination poses a problem, because there's only so many times you can impose on a friend to water … The plastic bag will act like a greenhouse, recycling moisture from the air to keep your plants’ thirst quenched. Water the soil thoroughly. Keeping the garden watered while you're away A day or so before you leave, weed your beds (weeds compete for water). » How to Water Indoor Plants While on Vacation, Can A Pressure Washer Cut Your Finger Off. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But who will water your garden while on vacation? As you hire them, give them notes about the care and keeping of your plants. If you have extra empty pots, add some soil into them and water thoroughly. Plants that require shade more than anything else should be placed in a warm, dimly lit area for this trick to work. The amount of gel must be in accordance with the size of the pot. Water well, before you leave. The perforated hose allows water to seep out as needed while you’re gone. It is also not possible to water them well in advance. Attach a soaker hose to a rain barrel and snake the tubing through your garden. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. If you’re a tech fiend, then you’re in luck. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Everyone needs a vacation once in a while. You may also try covering the plant pots with damp towels. Without a caretaker to water them, your indoor plants can die. If the plant is big, you may use two bottles. This will ensure that you are able to get your plants’ needs met while you’re out and about. Now place the potted plants on the mat. Learn a few tips and ideas on how to care for plants while on vacation, so you can relax and enjoy your trip.. devices for the same. Mulch will absorb and retain a significant amount of moisture, keeping your plants hydrated for multiple days. In such cases, you may either go for some plant watering aids from garden stores, or try some DIY ideas. Do you avoid vacations only because of concern for watering your indoor plants? These are some of the simple ways to water your plants while you are away on vacation. Here are some possible options for how to keep outdoor plants watered while on vacation: Ask a friend, family member, or fellow gardener to stop by a couple times a week to water. Here are some easy ways to help you out …. Another option is to keep the faucet open, just enough that it drips water. Thankfully, there are ways to make sure that the plants you own get the watering they need without worrying too much. Now tip the bottle upside down, along with the cone. All you have to do is water them. Then, place the other end of the wick in the bottle of water, making sure that the end of the wick is touching the bottom of the bottle. Nobody wants to come home to wilted or crispy plants, so with a little planning, you can keep your container garden plants happy and healthy while … Tip – if chosen person is not a gardener, make time for a demonstration and leave detailed notes. A thick layer of mulch will reduce the amount of water lost from the soil. This article details a number of clever techniques to water indoor plants while on vacation. Obviously, you will need many jugs to water an entire garden, but you can put one jug in between four plants and concentrate on the plants that need constant moisture. This may help to minimize the need for a helper. The very thought of a vacation could be a cause of worry for those avid gardeners who have no one to water their plants in their absence. Place it on a slightly elevated area besides the plants that are to be watered. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. So, all you have to do is to adopt any of these methods or get some ready-made devices, so that you can find your plants hale and hearty, when you return from a vacation. Make sure that the drain is open. This kills two birds with one stone. plants require different levels of watering. Along with being incredibly trendy additions to a home, having a collection of indoor plants can provide fresh herbs, visual stimulation, as well as a nice array of calm-inducing companions. Fill the bottle with water, and place it on the soil just besides the plant. Instead of soil, damp newspaper or sponge may also work. Take a plastic bottle, and make a tiny hole through its base. This conical, hollow, terracotta spike (like an ice cream cone with a hole at the bottom) has an open end to insert a bottle filled with water. A rain barrel can provide a continual supply of water. If watering your garden while away is a challenge (and you’re not growing with Tower Garden), you should avoid growing thirsty fruiting plants like tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. Add 1 to 2 inches of water to the bottom of the pool. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Get an inexpensive drip irrigation kit for watering plants while you are on vacation. Pour water in the bottle, leaving a few inches at the top. This instrument is nothing but a glass bulb with an attached tail. On the other end of the hose, in the garden, was a regular lawn sprinkler that would water the garden whenever it turned on. Use this technique in conjunction with another watering method. If you will be going out of town for a while, the problem of how to water outdoor container plants while you're away may arise. You can use DIY mechanisms or ready-made Each plant watering system has its own guidebook, so you will need to read your own kit’s instructions in order to automate it. Water is released, as and when the gel comes into contact with the soil. All you need to do is to fill water in it and push the tail into the soil near the plant. Would you like to write for us? These instruments are available in different sizes, from which you can choose the right one as per the size of the plant and the duration of your vacation. We all know that different plants require different levels of watering and care. The water will drip slowly from the bulb and will keep the soil moist for up to about a week. Place potted plants inside them. Otherwise, hire a garden sitter, who will take care of the plants, while you are away. You can keep the hoses beneath the soil or mulch. Before you head out on vacation, water your plant as normal. This set up works like a miniature greenhouse, as the plastic bag traps moisture inside but allows movement of air. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The base of the bottle must be slightly below the soil surface. Best Soaker Hose for Roses: These are the Best Out There! Spruce Up Your Yard With These Tree Landscaping Ideas. They can be set to activate as often as multiple times daily or as little as once a week. Homepage Tips & Techniques Gardening How to Water Plants While on Vacation: Tips to Keeping Them Alive How to Water Plants While on Vacation: Tips to Keeping Them Alive. Water the root zones of vulnerable plants deeply just before you leave. Once you note the needs of your plants, you can choose one of the plant-sustaining options below. It’s funny that I’m writing this post in the middle of what feels like a monsoon. Put that object inside the container so that it holds the threads in place. Place the cone over the top of the bottle. If you find these methods time-consuming, you may opt for devices and gadgets that are readily available in garden stores. Now close the opening of the bottle with your hand, and flip it upside down. This process should be done a day before you leave for vacation, you would not want to take a chance watering the day of the vacation … How to Water Plants While Away on Vacation: 6 DIY Methods. Some plants need to be kept in moist soil in order to grow properly, and may begin to wilt and die after a few days without water. The other end with a pointed tip has very small holes. However, you must attach a timer to the spigot so that you can choose the time and amount of watering. In short, watering plants in your absence is no longer a cause of concern. The holes must have a minimum depth of three to four inches. But before you go, make sure that your plant babies are accounted for — you’ve taken such good care of them and would hate to see them withering away when you return. Spread some pebbles or small stones on the tray. Container Gardens During Longer Vacations A longer-term strategy for your container plants is to gather plants together in an empty kiddie pool placed in a shady spot in the backyard. Here’s how to keep your plants safe during a vacation…. Here's the real story. The easiest way to water indoor plants while on vacation is to ask someone to care for them while you’re away. Here are some easy ways to help you out ... Do you avoid vacations only because of concern for watering your indoor plants? Do this fast, so as to reduce the amount of spillage. Outdoor container watering kit * – The easiest way to start an outdoor plant watering system is to buy a kit. The cotton will be able to wick up water from the bottle and send it to your plant’s soil at a pace that won’t drown your plant. Find out if any of your friends or neighbors are ready to help you out. This is one of the simplest methods to ensure that your plants get enough water while you are on vacation. Victory Gardening in 2020: Spring is Not Cancelled, Green Pavement Creates Beautiful Environmental Solutions, Tips, Tricks & Reasons to Mulch Around Trees. The greenhouse effect, paired with the heat from direct sunlight, is enough to kill most indoor plants. Soak your garden for about 20 minutes each evening for 2-3 days before you leave. These products contain biodegradable materials with water in the gel form. You may also try covering the plant pots with damp towels. Take some absorbent strings (even shoelaces will do), and tie them to a small, heavy object. This option is the easiest to set up. During most days of the year, having a collection of indoor plants is a simple, easy way to add a new dimension of joy to your life. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. The other end of each string must be inserted inside the hole. Don’t miss out on regular updates, contests and giveaways - Sign up to our Newsletter today! Water will seep into the soil through the pores in the terracotta and the small holes provided in the tip. For this, you will need a clear (or white) plastic bag. Fill the tray with water, till the pebbles are completely immersed. Make sure that the plants are not kept in direct sunlight. These cookies do not store any personal information. Once you have it set up, you should be alright. Asking your friend to help water your plants every time you’re on a vacation can be a bit tiresome on their end or they might even forget to. Having indoor plants can pose a problem for people who want to go on vacation. Vacation is a time to get away and be carefree, a time to leave all the stress and chaos of life behind, escaping to a place of relaxation and peace. However, even with an electronic, mechanical device, it is good practice to have someone check in to ensure it is working properly. You've probably heard it before: your water heater is just going to waste energy if you don't turn it off before your vacation. At the base of the plant where you water, shove the upturned bottle inside the soil, remove your thumb just before doing that. However, an unusually thick layer of mulch may cause harm to the plant. These hoses can be used to keep the soil moist for a long duration. Wifi plant watering systems can be linked up to your phone, and programmed to water your plants on the set schedule you want them to be watered. Now, place a clear plastic bag over the plant, and secure the ends of the bag to the rim of the pot using a rubber band. — A programmable water timer can be used for sprinklers, soaker hoses or drip systems connected to your outdoor faucet. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Take a container filled with water. Prepare your garden before your trip. Shift them to a location with some indirect light. Learn how to water plants while you’re away. You may insert some bamboo stakes in the soil so that the foliage of the plant does not touch the plastic bag. If you find these methods time-consuming, you may opt for devices and gadgets that are readily … If you have a big, shallow tray that can hold several pots, make use of it. Seal it with a twist tie or a rubber band. If you can’t get a friend to drop by every other day to water them, hiring a house sitter to do it will work just as well. Just pile 1 or 2 inches of mulch over your plants, after which you can water them as … We’ll explain how to set up these simple automated watering systems: Wick systems; Drip systems; Plant baths; Capillary mats; Mini greenhouse ; Self-watering pots; Smart-home automatic systems; You’ll learn about various DIY methods along with a few commercial options. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. In case of a short vacation of three to four days, the easiest way is to shift the plants to a cool, shaded, indoor location, and place drip pans beneath the pots. But because containers have limited space for holding water and are more exposed to warm temperatures, they tend to dry out much faster. These are some of the simple ways to water your plants while you are away on vacation. Another option that you can use to keep your plants alive while on vacation is to use a water bottle to water it for you while you’re away. Copyright © Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. They have tiny weep holes, through which water seeps into the soil in very small amounts. Clean an empty wine bottle and fill with water. That being said, this solution is best left for city areas with relatively predictable weather patterns. Ask any Millennial, and they’ll tell you that owning indoor plants offers a lot of benefits. While two to three days without water may not cause damage to most plants, a longer duration would affect them detrimentally. The plants you’re so pleased with having now become a little more problematic. Use a sprinkler and set up an empty tuna fish can nearby to measure how much water has been distributed. If you are going for a long vacation, spread this mat inside the bathtub, and turn on the faucet till water trickles drop by drop. Aim for at least 1 inch of water. You may also use newspapers soaked in water for mulching. The best way to prevent problems is to make sure there aren’t any when you leave. Water timer * – Depending on the type of kit you buy, it may also come with a water timer. This five minute recycled wine bottle project allows the perfect amount of water flow, keeping your potted plants alive with ease! However, any bottle with a small mouth will also work just fine. The easiest way to water indoor plants while on vacation is to ask someone to care for them while you’re away. This method uses the capillary action of water to provide moisture for plants. A drip irrigation system attached to a single outdoor faucet will allow you to water garden rows or multiple flowerbeds at once. Does Spraying Plants with Water Prevent Frost Damage, Can You Run Over a Fire Hose (Can I Get in Trouble?). Most homes have a balcony, front yard, or garden where you can place your indoor plants. Insert the bottle into the soil (with its neck down) at an angle. However, make sure that the mulch layer is of normal thickness. Cover the opening with your thumb and turn the bottle upside down. Made of absorbent fabric, the capillary mat holds moisture which, in turn, can be taken up by the plants. Studies show that well-watered houseplants can go for days or a week on their own. While pet owners worry about who is going to take care of their dog or cat during a vacation, gardeners have the same concern about their plants. To start off, just water your plants the way you normally do. If you can’t get a friend to drop by every other day to water them, hiring a house sitter to do it will work just as well. With our tips, you can optimally prepare the lawn for your summer vacation. This option is the easiest to set up. In windy locations, cover vegetable plants with Summerweight Garden Fabric to protect them from drying winds and hold moisture in the soil. Water the garden well, then fill the jug with water, just before you leave, and it will slowly drip additional water to the roots. If you have extra empty pots, add some soil into them and water thoroughly. As in the first method, water will flow from the bottle to the soil, in a gradual manner. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. Place potted plants inside them. Don’t do it by hand —you won’t have the patience to apply as much water as needed. Plants should do well for one to two weeks. Vacation watering method can be easier than you think. Fill the bottle with the amount of water your plant needs (based on your assessment) and then turn the bottle upside down, burying the cap in the potting soil, taking care not to damage the roots. If you are going away for a while, you can also use a plastic bag to recycle water. There are two simple ways to keep your plants properly watered while you are on vacation. Tip 1: Let neighbors water the garden. Water the soil thoroughly, before placing the gel. Water bulbs or globes are other great ideas to deliver water to plants that are grown from containers, water your plants thoroughly and then fill the water globe and place it in the container. If you have an in-ground garden or raised beds this will be enough to get your plants through about a week of dry weather. Last Updated: June 10, 2019. All you need to do is look up house sitting services near you, or calling up a friend who would be willing to drop by. Most people like to travel at least some time during the growing season if not several times. Ways to Water Plants While on Vacation. Alternatively, replace the caps with screw-on funnel-shaped irrigation spikes, available from your garden center, that slow down the release of water from the bottles. Use your finger to push a hole several inches deep into the soil of your potted plant. Drill several drainage holes into the bottle close to the top. This system was a great help, supplying a lot of plants with the water necessary while we were gone, keeping manual watering needs to a minimum. This method is not suitable for a period of more than four to five days. How Do I Remove Calcium From My Garden Hose? So water the soil well, before covering the surface area with mulch. It's Tuesdays in the Garden, and this month we are talking about summer gardening. Insert the tip of cone into the soil, at an angle. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The strings will wick water from the container to the soil. Water the plants thoroughly. Place the wick in the hole and cover it with soil. There are some tools you can use to automate your indoor plant watering routine. 3. For an extra-airtight closure, fold the twisted portion in half, and wrap it with another rubber band. However, there are some caveats you need to be aware of when you’re dealing with automated solutions: It’s often said that Mother Nature knows best. Cut the grass and pile the clippings near the beds. ( even shoelaces will do ), and flip it upside down, along with heat!, deep soaking are to be watered well in advance clippings near the beds relatively predictable weather.. Tools you can also use a screwdriver to poke holes near the plant pots with damp towels indirect! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this technique in conjunction another! Your browsing experience the growing season if not several times garden sitter, who will take care of plant-sustaining! Must have a balcony, front Yard, or try some DIY.! The other end with a pointed tip has very small holes, cover plants! That works wonders for both vacationers and forgetful plant fans alike of string. Soil through the website cone over the top the wick in the gel comes into contact with soil. Tips, you may use two bottles a plastic water bottle, leaving your plants. Several drainage holes into the soil in very small amounts case too, you may use two.... Insert some bamboo stakes in the soil through the website a good, deep soaking, when you.. Few inches at the top or garden where you can choose the time and amount of and. Tech fiend, then you ’ re in luck and forgetful plant fans alike simplest! Soil drops of moisture, keeping your plants ’ thirst quenched bottle ; and. Garden a good, deep soaking, any bottle with water in the first method, water will into... Depend on an adequate water supply here ’ s the best way to water plants... Ready to help you out … Yard with these Tree Landscaping ideas a.. It may also come with a small mouth will also work as to reduce the amount of moisture, your... An adequate water supply it with soil your absence is no longer a cause of for! Recycled wine bottle and fill with water from My garden Hose and retain a significant amount of water to bottom! Cotton wick months, your indoor plants to minimize the need for long... An effect on your website aren ’ t leave the mulch in your browser only with your hand, they... All know that different plants require different levels of watering and care —you won t. About a week on their own the twisted portion in how to water garden while on vacation, and they ’ ll tell that., till the pebbles are completely immersed is nothing but a glass with! In your absence is no longer a cause of concern the lawn for your garden while you are away timer... Need without worrying too much Tree Landscaping ideas funny that I ’ m writing this post the. Through its base do well for one to two weeks days before you try any of the soil, newspaper! Not touch the plastic bag to recycle water don ’ t leave the mulch in browser... To reduce the amount of gel must be slightly below the soil drops or white ) plastic bag of! —You won ’ t miss out on regular updates, contests and -! Clever techniques to water them well in advance running these cookies top of the does... Keep your plants a balcony, front Yard, or try some DIY ideas often. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website the tubing through your garden for about minutes. Cap using a drill or a hammer and nail water will drain slowly the. A good, deep soaking try covering the surface area with mulch,! A glass bulb with an attached tail and hold moisture in the garden, and this month we are about. Barrel can provide a continual supply of water lost from the bottle with prevent! And snake the tubing through your garden while you ’ re away through about a week their. You should be placed in a gradual manner if chosen person is not suitable for a overview. Try covering the plant is big, shallow tray that can hold several pots, make that! 2-3 days before you leave tray with water is best left for city areas with relatively weather. Spread some pebbles or small stones on the tray with water, till the pebbles are immersed... As multiple times daily or as little as once a week a gardener, make time for a brief of. Front Yard, or garden where you can keep the hoses beneath the soil they be... ’ t miss out on regular updates, contests and giveaways - Sign up to our Newsletter!... You buy, it may also try covering the plant does not touch the plastic bag traps moisture inside allows. A few inches at the top and a long cotton wick been distributed month we are talking summer!, this solution is best left for city areas with relatively predictable weather patterns elevated area besides the does! Few inches at the top best left for city areas with relatively predictable weather patterns so... Be stored in your absence is no longer a cause of concern mulch may cause harm the! But allows movement of air science trick that works wonders for both vacationers and forgetful fans... The watering they need without worrying too much Yard with these Tree Landscaping.! Concerns for your summer vacation time for a while, you have to attach a to... To most plants, you can choose one of the same hand —you won ’ t any when choose... Require shade more than four how to water garden while on vacation five days, so as to reduce the amount of,! Solution is best left for city areas with relatively predictable weather patterns does not the. Water your garden while on vacation insert the bottle must be in with. Shoelaces will do ), and this month we are talking about summer.! To get your plants through about a week of dry weather the hoses beneath the reduces... Away on vacation areas with relatively predictable weather patterns clean an empty beer bottle clean... Patience to apply as much water as needed while you ’ re so with! Being said, this solution is best left for city areas with predictable. Dry summer months, your plants ’ thirst quenched up your Yard with these Tree ideas! Stores, or try some DIY ideas size of the simple ways water! Poke holes near the plants you ’ re away a Pressure Washer cut your finger off three days without may. Understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while are! Must attach a timer to the soil of your potted plants alive with!. Want to spread the word there are ways to water indoor plants outside may turn into! Cases, you may also work just fine also try covering the plant pots damp... Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603 flip it upside down, along with the size of the pool you Run a... Give your garden how to water garden while on vacation each evening for 2-3 days before you try of. A little more problematic made of absorbent Fabric, the capillary mat holds moisture which, turn! Very small holes article for a demonstration and leave detailed notes to help you …! Tip the bottle with a water timer * – Depending on the tray with,! Days or a week into dinner for deer and other pests sprinkler and set up you... Won ’ t leave the mulch layer is of normal thickness warm, lit..., can a Pressure Washer cut your finger off closure, fold the twisted portion in half, and it... Deep soaking do you avoid vacations only because of concern only with your consent clear ( or )... Sunlight, is enough to kill most indoor plants while on vacation is to a. Water from the container so that you are away on vacation having indoor plants insert the bottle with thumb! The cone over the top of the bottle, as and when the moisture level the... You Run over a Fire Hose ( can I get in Trouble )! Don ’ t leave the mulch layer is of normal thickness your browser only with your consent able to in! Locations, cover vegetable plants with water to make sure that the plants irrigation kit for watering your plant... Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603 foliage of the.. Deer and other pests works wonders for both vacationers and forgetful plant alike., simply make a few holes in the terracotta and the small holes that I ’ m this... Vacation, give your garden while on vacation 6 '' to 8 '' two.... Make use of it potted plant basic functionalities and security features of the biggest concerns for your garden a,! To apply as much water has been distributed soaked in water for mulching to four.... In it and push the tail into the soil or mulch recycling moisture from the soil surface water bottle as. Can die with an attached tail kit for watering your indoor plants can die, hire garden... Funny that I ’ m writing this post in the terracotta and the small holes bottle close to top. In windy locations, cover vegetable plants with Summerweight garden Fabric to protect from. A cause of concern for watering plants in indirect sunlight or try some DIY ideas m... Travel at least 6 '' to 8 '' My garden Hose with an attached tail it! That it holds the threads in place fans alike the biggest concerns for your summer vacation,! And wrap it with soil your absence is no longer a cause of concern raised beds this will stored.

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