Automatic clay stake and water bottler garden watering system
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How to Keep Your Garden Alive While on Vacation

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Easy self-watering clay garden stake and bottle.

Are you going on vacation and worried about your garden? Don’t fret! You can do plenty of things to make sure your garden stays healthy while you’re gone. In this post, we’ll give you tips on how to keep your plants alive while on vacation. Read on for more information.

Prepare your garden for vacation

Every gardener knows the fear of leaving their plants unattended when going on vacation due to dangers such as too much sun, pests, and dehydration.

Fortunately, many techniques and products can help keep garden plants alive during a gardener’s vacation. 

gardener watering their plants before leaving for vacation

The most basic would be to provide deep and frequent watering before the trip – and if applicable, set up a few strategically situated clay pots that can be filled with water or even suspended cans or bottles along the way.

For those wanting to add protection just before they leave on vacation, spraying with a special plant protectant such as Wilt-Pruf, 3-in-1 Plant Guard Spray – IV Organics, NovaSource Surround, or Purshade will help prevent the leaves from wilting in the sun or drying out by creating an invisible coating of wax on the foliage.

A frost sensitive garden plant wrapped in burlap to protect against frost.

For holidays longer than a few days in winter, wrap protect or store fragile shrubs, tropicals, and perennials indoors while they’re frost-susceptible.

If your plants are fruiting while you are away, read 10 Ways to Protect Your Fruit from Pesky Birds for tips that will protect your fruit while you are on vacation.

A tropical tree protected by a frost cloth structure against frost damage.

Water Your Plants While You’re Away

Gardeners who dread the thought of their plants wilting away during an extended vacation need not worry anymore, thanks to modern products designed with this concern in mind.

Automated irrigation systems that use sensors to regulate water flow and timer-connected drip systems are two incredibly popular options for gardeners who will be leaving their gardens unattended for a while.

Gardener setting up an automated drip watering system

With these systems, garden lovers can be sure that their gardens will stay flourishing while they enjoy their travels.

These systems attach directly to a water source and trickle out water to your plants at predetermined intervals.

Soaker hoses are another great option – they can be laid in long lines through gardens or flower beds and will slowly release water over a period of time.

There are also water reservoirs that can be hung near foliage and which slowly release a measured amount of water over time.

These user-friendly products make it easy to keep even the most delicate plants alive while you’re on your long-deserved vacation.

Plastic bottle plant watering stake set. For watering plants while on vaction.

Mulch Your Plants to Keep Them Hydrated

A gardener mulching tomato plants with straw to regulate soil temperature and moisture levels

When gardeners go on vacation, their plants need extra care to stay hydrated and healthy.

One of the best ways to achieve this is with mulch, a protective layer that cuts down on evaporation from the soil and keeps moisture levels optimal.

Mulch also acts as an insulator and helps keep the temperature of plants more consistent so they don’t overheat in direct sunlight.

The ideal mulches are organic, like leaves, straw, or wood chips. It should always be applied at least three inches thick and not touching the trunk so that the plants get maximum benefit while you’re away!

A gardener mulches a large garden bed with wood chips to maintain soil temperature and moisture.

Going on vacation doesn’t mean you have to leave your garden unattended. There are many products available today that make it easy for gardeners to keep their plants healthy while they’re away.

In this guide, we’ve outlined a few of the best ways to water and mulch your plants so that they stay hydrated and protected from the sun and pests. So don’t worry – you can enjoy your vacation without having to worry about your garden!

Visit the Garden Resources page for supplies and inspiration. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Calendula’s Garden Newsletter for more gardening tips.

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