Travel plans? Check. Home security? Check. Pets taken care of? Check. Now the only thing left to do is to make sure your garden will be okay while you’re away on holiday. Here’s how:
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1. Mulch your garden
Mulching is a good way to retain moisture in the soil, as it reduces water loss due to evaporation. According to a study carried out at the Texas A&M University in College Station in Texas in the US, mulched plants lose 25% less water than plants not protected by mulch.
2. Feed your plants
Before you leave for your holiday, feed your plants with a liquid fertiliser to give them a boost. If you plan to be away for longer than a week, add a granular fertiliser for extra nutrients.
3. Roll out the barrels
Recycling rainwater – even if it feels like an insignificant amount – will enable you to look after your garden better, also when you are away and aren’t able to use grey water for your garden. This applies especially if you don’t have a house-sitter, but someone who just comes to your house regularly to water your plants (see below).
4. Make self-watering bottles
Pierce tiny holes in the bottom of used plastic bottles. Place the bottles in the ground. Depending on the kind of plants you have, up to four plants can share a bottle. Water your garden properly and then fill the bottles just before you leave.
5. Ask a friend to help or hire a professional
Make an agreement with a friendly, green-fingered neighbour to look after each other’s gardens if you’re going to be away at different times. You can also find out about hiring a landscape gardener or maintenance group just for the period of time you will be away from home.
PHOTO: iStock/weerapatkiatdumrong
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