Most people enjoy spending time outdoors, getting away from the busyness of city life. But what do you do with your plants when you’re traveling? If you’re not careful, they may die while you’re gone. This blog post lists six practical ways to keep your plants alive while traveling.
Be strategic with their position
If you have indoor plants, the most important thing you can do is to be strategic with their position. Place them near a window where they will get plenty of sunlight. For your outdoor plants, ensure they’re in a shady spot because too much sun can harm them. The team at Plant Care Center suggests that you group plants together so they can provide shade for each other. This means that your plants will still get sun and won’t be damaged by it.
Use a grow light
If you’re gone for more than a week, you may want to use a grow light to keep your plants alive. Grow lights simulate sunlight and help plants get the energy they need to photosynthesize. This type of light works by emitting specific wavelengths beneficial for plant growth. For example, red and blue lights stimulate plant growth, which is what most grow lights emit. You just have to be selective of the grow light you purchase because some emit too much heat, which can harm your plants.
Water them before you leave
Giving your plants a good watering before you leave is an excellent thing to do to keep them alive while you’re gone. Ensure the soil is moist but not soggy, and the pot has drainage holes so the water can drain out. You can also try using a self-watering system, which will water your plants for you while you’re away. These systems can be bought online or at your local gardening store. Or, if you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, you may want to mist your plants before you leave. This will help keep the soil moist and the leaves from drying out. A plant mister works well for this, or you can use a spray bottle. Just be sure not to overdo it, as too much water can harm your plants.
Fertilize them
If you need to be gone for an extended period, you may need to fertilize your plants before you leave. This will help them get the nutrients they need to stay healthy. You can buy fertilizer at your local gardening store or make your own by mixing compost and manure. In making your compost, using only fresh manure is essential, as old manure can harm your plants. You can also use fish emulsion, a liquid fertilizer made from fish waste.
Prune them
If your plants look overgrown, you may want to prune them before you leave. This will help them stay healthy and prevent them from getting too big while you’re gone. Just be sure to prune them correctly, so you don’t damage the plant. To do proper pruning, you first must identify the different types of cuts, such as heading, thinning, and shearing. Heading cuts are made to remove the tips of branches, thinning cuts are made to remove entire branches, and shearing cuts are made to shape the plant. The kind of cut your plant needs will depend on the type of plant it is. For instance, if your plant is a shrub, you’ll want to make heading cuts, while if it’s a tree, you’ll want to make thinning cuts.
Leave them with a friend or neighbor
If you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, leaving your plants with a friend or neighbor is a good idea. They can water and care for your plants while you’re gone. Just be sure to give them clear instructions on caring for your plants and ensure they know when to expect you back. For instance, if one of your plants needs to be watered daily, you’ll want to let your friend or neighbor know. If your plants don’t need that much care, you can leave them with a note telling them how often to water them. But some plants are also more challenging to care for than others, so be sure to let them know if you have any special instructions. Or, if you’re going to be gone for longer than what you initially told them, it’s a good idea to give them a call and let them know.
In Conclusion
With these six tips, you can rest assured that your plants will be well-cared for while you’re away. So go ahead and enjoy your time away, knowing that your plants will be waiting for you when you return. Rest assured that, with careful planning, your plants can stay healthy and happy even while you are gone.
