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Give your plants what they need to manage while you’re away from home. With a little preparation, it is possible to minimise damage from heat stress and neglect so you can enjoy a break without worrying about your plants.
“We wouldn’t leave our pets at home without making sure they’re looked after – it’s the same with plants,” says horticulturist Angie Thomas of Yates.
Ensuring plants have access to enough moisture is an important part of holiday plant care, Angie says. “This starts with the soil. To make the most of every drop, treat the lawn and garden with a soil wetting agent. It helps break down the water-repellent layer that can develop on soil, allowing water to penetrate more efficiently and effectively into the root zone.”
Adding a layer of mulch to pots and garden beds is good garden practice; if you don’t do it often, now is a good time to start. Bianca Boman of Mr Fothergill’s says mulching reduces soil moisture loss, keeps the roots cool and prevents weeds. “Straw mulch is ideal for the vegie patch,” she says. “It breaks down quickly, adding valuable nutrients to the soil, but wood chips or pine bark are better suited for trees, shrubs and perennials.”
Mulch can also be spread over bare patches of soil to help suppress weeds, saving you from a huge weeding job on your return.
An automated irrigation system will take your holiday garden care to the next level. It keeps your plants hydrated while you’re away and can be as simple as attaching the irrigation system to a timer or a smart Wi-Fi controller. “High-tech options are available with rain sensors and automatically adjust the watering schedule based on current climate conditions,” says Angie.
For vegetable and ornamental garden beds, drip irrigation or a soaker hose help direct water to the plants’ root zones. For larger areas, like lawns, a sprinkler system works best. If you already have irrigation in place, Bianca recommends a quick run-through before you head off. “Check there are no blockages, that connections are secure, and the timer is working correctly,” she says. “Set the irrigation to water early in the morning or late evening – this gives your plants a better chance to absorb the water before it evaporates.”
Be sure to check with your local water authority for any watering restrictions or rosters in your area and adjust timer settings to suit.
Your garden will continue to thrive in your absence if plants are provided with enough nutrients to maintain strong, healthy growth, says Angie. “Apply a slow-release organic fertiliser [like Yates Dynamic Lifter] before you go – it delivers small amounts of nutrients to plants over many weeks,” she says. “Sprinkle around garden beds and potted plants, water well and cover with mulch.”
Outdoor pot plants need a little more TLC while you’re away. “Potted plants dry out much quicker than in-ground plants,” says Angie. “Move them into a cool, partly shaded position, give the potting mix a thorough soaking and fill the saucer with water, too.”
While leaving a saucer full of water is generally not recommended, Angie explains it can be done as a temporary measure. “It gives your plants additional moisture to soak up over a few days while you’re away.”
If holidaying for an extended period of time, consider installing drip irrigation. Using a soil wetter before departure can help improve water penetration, too.
Indoor plants may not be exposed to the harsh elements, but they can still suffer from neglect. For short trips (three to five days), there’s no need to worry, but for extended holidays of up to two weeks, here’s what to do.
Move plants to a cool part of the house, like the bathroom or laundry, to prevent potting mix from drying out too quickly. Group them together to help maintain humidity. Ensure the potting mix stays moist. “Place plants in the bathtub or laundry sink and fill with a few centimetres of water to allow moisture to be absorbed through the drainage holes,” advises Angie.
Set up a simple rope wicking system to keep soil moist for up to a couple of weeks, depending on vessel size and how many plants it’s watering (see steps, below). For longer holidays (more than two weeks), ask a friend or neighbour to help with watering. Arm them with a moisture meter so they know when to water.
Treat your plants to a drink while you’re on holidays with this D.I.Y. wicking system. A length of cotton twine connects the plant to a water source, allowing it to draw up water, keeping the soil moist enough to stop your plants from drying out while you’re away. You can do this for multiple plants.
Tip: Use cotton twine or rope – their absorbency allows the system to work efficiently and effectively.
Hold twine against the pot to gauge the length needed for the wicking system. Ensure there is sufficient length to bury the twine in the potting mix, with enough slack on the other end to submerge in water.
Use a skewer, pencil or something similar to push one end of the twine deep into the potting mix.
Tip: Group plants together so they can share the same water-filled ‘wicking’ vessel.
Photo Credit: Getty Images, Holman and Tammy Huynh
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
