You planted these plants, nurtured them, and now they’re blooming and luscious. Unfortunately, there’s a trip coming up. You’ve got everything in order and packed all the things you need. While you’re excited to head off, I bet you’re worried about leaving your plants. The thought of coming back to wilted or dead plants may be holding you back. Hold on. Go for your trip. Go get some time off. You deserve it. Your plants will be okay. A little planning and these tips will keep your plants glowing while you are away.
Feed and Drench The Plants Before You Leave
Give the plants lots of water before heading out. If possible, drench them in water. Don’t forget dry leaves once you’re done soaking them. Ensure the water flows through the planter if you’ll be gone for more than a week. But remember, plants are not set up equally. Some plants will do well with just enough water, while others will need a drench to survive. Your succulents or cacti plants will do okay with a minimal soak. These plants don’t need much attention. An outdoor or indoor herb garden, on the other hand, will require additional attention to survive the week. You can add an inch or two of mulch to an outdoor herb garden. For an indoor herb garden, put the planter on a bath or a humidity tray and add slow-release fertilizer to keep them well fed. The humidity tray will prevent the soil from losing water at a high rate.
Set-Up a Grow Tent for Your Seedlings
Your seedlings will survive. Don’t fret over them. Simply set up a 4×4 grow tent and let them grow as you soak in the sun. Grow tents are fantastic if you’re seed starting or propagating. Besides, a 4×4 grow comes in different designs and lets you control the amount of light, temperature, humidity, and water for your seedlings. You only need to attach automated systems to remotely control the growing environment for your seedlings and needy plants.
Give Them Enough Shade
Your plant will wither and die if you leave them under direct sunlight. Before leaving, move them to a shaded area to slow down moisture loss. Make shade cloths for your outdoor plants or bigger plants. You can get different coverage for your outdoor garden. You can get a 40%-60% shade cloth for less sensitive plants and a 60-70% shade cloth for the most sensitive plants. Don’t let the cloth touch your plants. For the indoor plant, move them away from the window. Shut your windows and curtains before leaving.
DIY a Slow Drip Watering
A slow drip watering technique will keep your plant from drying. There are various less costly DIY slow drip options you can install for your plants.
The Wicking system
It’s the easiest slow drip method that can keep your plants lush and hydrated. You need a synthetic wicking cord and a large water pot. This will keep your plants hydrated for a few days.
Use Water or Wine Bottles
Simply fill a plastic bottle with water and attach its cap. Drill holes on the cap, and bury the top part or rather the cap part inside the potting soil. Be delicate to avoid damaging roots. The cap will release water into the soil at a slow rate to stop your plants from drying out. Use a staked wine bottle if you’ve got one. The stake will periodically release water into the soil.
Get a Garden Sitter
Self-watering tools can be a good alternative if you’re heading out for a few days or a week. Timers are lifesavers. You can put the plants next to a timed sprinkler. However, if you’ll be away for a long time, ask an educated neighbor or sibling to look after your plants. Be sure to give them clear directions on what to do. Better still, look for a professional plant sitter to watch over your plants. A plant sitter is the best option if you’ve got a large outdoor garden or needy and fussy plants. They have the experience and expertise needed to care for different plants.
In Conclusion
These tips are easy to pull and require no special knowledge or tools. Using one or two of these tips will keep your plants lush while you’re away.
