By David Domoney|2023-08-03T17:09:42+01:00July 6th, 2023|
There’s nothing better than a summer holiday away, exploring a new place with your friends and family and getting some well needed rest.
Hydration
In the run up to your holiday, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the packing and planning. You can forget about what you’ll be leaving behind. Remember that any plants you grow depend on you to survive. Just as a pet would. They need their regular watering even though you might be away.
Seasonal factors
This is especially true during the summer months when water evaporates rapidly from the soil and plants can quickly dry out.
Luckily, there are lots of clever ways to keep plants hydrated whilst we aren’t there to care for them.
Make it easier
No matter how long your holiday will be, there are methods to use to keep your plants healthy until your return home. Many can even be done using recycled materials from around the house. So there’s no need to break the bank.
Water before you go
The first thing to do, no matter which method you use, is to give all your plants a thorough watering before you begin. Soak pots, containers and hanging baskets at the plant base until the water rises above the soil. Allow this to soak in and then repeat.
Hose pipe
Use a hose to water plants in your beds and borders. Leave the hose at the base of thirsty plants for several minutes. Pressing your finger into the soil afterward. Check the water has soaked at least the first several inches of the soil before moving on to the next plant.
Take care not to simply sprinkle water on the foliage as this will evaporate away quickly and can also encourage disease.
The power of shade
Moving potted plants into a shady spot whilst you are away will help them to maintain hydration. And it will slow the rate at which they dry out. Be careful not to use shade cast by the eaves of your house. As this will prevent any natural rainwater from being able to reach them.
Houseplants
Do the same thing with houseplants. Move them away from sunny windowsills and into shadier spots to help them stay hydrated while you are away.
Once you have given your plants a nice long drink, you can set up your plants for the holiday using one of the below methods.
Wine Bottle Method
This method is perfect for keeping potted plants watered if you are away for up to a week.
Checklist
Wash out an old wine bottle and fill with water up to the neck. For smaller pots you may wish to use a smaller bottle such as a beer bottle.
Place your thumb over the top of the bottle and flip it over, and then bury the neck of the bottle into the soil of the pot, removing your thumb.
The neck of the bottle should be wedged firmly a few inches into the soil and should be fairly secure.
You can use a permanent marker and draw a line on the bottle at the water level.
Come back a few hours later to check the water is draining properly – if the water level is still in the same place then soil may be blocking the bottle. Take the bottle out and insert again.
Tip:
You can buy ‘watering globes’ that work in the same way.
Plastic Bottles
Plastic bottles can be used in a similar way to wine bottles but can also be used in your beds and borders.
Checklist
Use a large plastic bottle and poke two holes in the bottom and three to five holes on one side of the bottle.
Dig a hole next to your plant deep enough to bury the bottle in up to the neck.
Once the bottle is in place with the holes facing towards your plant, fill with water and pat the soil around the bottle to firm it in slightly.
You can replace the lid if you want to slow down the water rate or leave it off if you are only going away for a short period.
Check back after a few hours to make sure a little of the water has drained away – if no water has drained out, loosen the cap a little. If too much water has drained away, tighten the cap.
Water Wick
Another clever method of keeping plants hydrated whilst you are away is using a water wick, which is especially good for indoor plants.
Checklist
Fill a jar, cup or bottle full of water and place next to your pot, positioning it out of direct sunlight, and elevated so that the mouth of the container is higher than the base of the plant. The longer you are going away for, the larger you will want this container to be.
Cut a length of cotton twine, plastic tubing or string, you can even just cut strips of cotton fabric about one inch wide.
Place one end of the wick into your water container, making sure it reaches the bottom.
Push the other end of the wick into the soil at the base of your plant, about three inches deep.
Try to keep the wick out of direct sunlight to avoid evaporation – put some duct table over the top of your water container if you are worried about evaporation.
You can even place the pot over the container and poke the wick up through the drainage hole – this reduces evaporation and helps to keep the soil at the base of the plant moist.
Bathtub or Shower
Indoor potted plants can be kept hydrated through this method, using the bathtub or shower tray and some old towels.
Checklist
Place your houseplants in a bath or sink with shallow water and let them draw up the moisture for 10 minutes.
Then, put them back into their pots, so your prized plants aren’t sitting in stagnant water for long periods of time.
Miniature Greenhouse
This is a great and affordable method to keep your plants hydrated, and is adaptable to many types of plant. Regardless of height, type, or quantity, you can make this work at home.
It works by watering your plant, and then securing it into a micro-climate, in the same way a sealed terrarium works.
The moisture remains ‘trapped’ within the greenhouse, so can create a humid environment. The water will evaporate to the top, where the water condenses and drips back down onto the soil of your plant.
For smaller plants, find a clear plastic bag that can cover the pot and plant.
Then, water your plant, and cover with the plastic bag. You can use stakes to secure the bag, and support it.
For larger plants, you could invest in a miniature greenhouse, or find a larger bag.
If you have them available, larger water bottles with the base cut out can be pushed into the soil over your plant.
Irrigation Systems
If you have the budget for it, there are many different types of irrigation systems on the market. These will allow for a controlled amount of water to reach your plants at set times whilst away.
Expense
This is a costlier method. But it can help to put your mind at ease if you are worried about your plants running out of water. Or if you plan to be away for a longer period of time.
Asking a Friend or Neighbour
A simple yet effective way to ensure your plants are looked after whilst on holiday is to enlist the help of a friend or neighbour.
Be Neighbourly
Make sure you offer to return the favour when they are going away! To make things easier for them you could set up one of the methods listed above. Your plant sitter only has to pop in once or twice to top up the homemade watering systems.
Notes
Leave detailed instructions for how much water your plants require. Especially if they aren’t used to caring for plants.
What may seem obvious to you may not be for the novice gardener.
Don’t panic when you get back
It is tempting once you return from holiday to look at your wilted plants and fill the pot with water. Try to resist doing this, as overwatering them will unlikely help. Instead, water them gently over a few days. Your plants should perk up nicely in the first week of your return.
David Domoney( Author )
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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6 Comments
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Vuyiswa Dlamini April 6, 2021 at 1:12 pm - Reply
I have found this to be very insightful. I can’t wait to try these. Thank you
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Mark April 21, 2021 at 4:02 pm - Reply
How does the water get from the bottle of water into the plant? Do you start a siphon or put string in the tubing? Otherwise water has no way to get from the bottle to the plant.
Really confused.
Mark
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Denise April 22, 2021 at 4:06 pm - Reply
Thank you David. Really great tips and will be trying a couple out before we visit our family in the UK.. We’re in southwest France so it’s already hot with little rain!
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Mark Thornton June 2, 2021 at 9:44 am - Reply
Thanks David, I’ve bought a number of 4cm deep trays to stand some outdoor plants in pots in water while away for 2 weeks, positioning them in a shady spot. Will this do the job or will the roots rot by standing in water?
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Christina Stephen November 9, 2021 at 3:17 pm - Reply
Brilliant Tips was really helpful thank you
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Wilma Hedges May 7, 2023 at 7:05 pm - Reply
How do you stop worrying about your precious seedlings and plants while away?
Great tips thank you.
Title
I am an experienced horticulturist with over 30 years of hands-on expertise in the field. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant, demonstrating a deep passion for plants that remains unwavering. My commitment to horticulture extends to sharing knowledge through various platforms, including blogs, television appearances, and newsletters.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article by David Domoney about keeping plants hydrated during summer holidays:
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Hydration and Seasonal Factors:
- Plants require regular watering, especially during the summer when water evaporates rapidly.
- Seasonal factors, such as high temperatures, contribute to the quick drying out of plants.
-
Watering Techniques Before Leaving:
- Thoroughly water all plants before departing.
- Use a hose for plants in beds and borders, ensuring deep soil penetration.
-
Moving Plants to Shady Spots:
- Moving potted plants to shaded areas helps maintain hydration and slows down the drying process.
- Avoid using shade cast by house eaves to allow natural rainwater to reach plants.
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Methods for Keeping Plants Hydrated:
- Wine Bottle Method: Using old wine bottles filled with water buried in soil.
- Plastic Bottles: Similar to wine bottles, with holes for controlled water release.
- Water Wick: Using a wick submerged in water and inserted into the soil for indoor plants.
- Bathtub or Shower: Allowing indoor potted plants to draw up moisture in a bath or sink.
- Miniature Greenhouse: Creating a micro-climate to trap moisture for plant hydration.
- Irrigation Systems: Controlled water supply to plants through various systems.
- Asking a Friend or Neighbor: Enlisting help to care for plants in your absence.
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Post-Holiday Care:
- Resist overwatering plants upon return; instead, water gently over a few days.
- Plants should recover within the first week after proper watering.
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Reader Comments:
- Positive feedback from readers who found the tips insightful and plan to try them out.
- Specific questions about the Wine Bottle Method and clarification on water transfer mechanisms.
In summary, the article provides comprehensive guidance on ensuring plant hydration during holidays, covering pre-departure watering, various methods for plant care, and post-holiday care tips. The reader comments indicate an engaged audience seeking further clarification and expressing gratitude for the valuable insights shared by David Domoney.
