Tips to safeguard your houseplants, pots and garden plants from Wyevale Garden Centres
Do you worry about plants dying when you’re away? Here are tips on how to look after plants while on holiday from Wyevale Garden Centres.
According to Wyevale’s research, a third of us (32 per cent) claim they feel guilty or upset when plants die. Watering issues are a key concern for gardeners. However, pests come at the top of the list of concerns in the Garden Trends Report. Some 70 per cent of us said we worried about them. For more on looking after plants while on holiday, here are more of my tips.
Mark Sage, Head of Horticulture for Wyevale Garden Centres, said: “People often feel a strong sense of attachment to their plants and spend a huge amount of time nurturing their every need.
“During the summer months, our plants require additional support to survive the hotter, drier spells. Knowing that they will be left unattended for a longer period of time can cause significant stress for holiday-goers.
“There are many quick and easy DIY hacks you can undertake pre-holiday to ensure your indoor and outdoor plants are thriving upon return – without the need for a professional plant-sitter.”
Looking after houseplants while away
- Avoid direct sunlight: Away for a few days? Give houseplants a thorough watering and move away from direct sunlight and into a cool room.
- Bags of support: On a short break, place a clear plastic bag over the plant and seal it closed. This allows water vapour to be collected and recycled by the plant. Support the bag with canes so the sides don’t touch the leaves.
- Self-watering systems: If you are planning to be away for a week or longer, buy a self-watering container with a built-in reservoir.
- Capillary matting: Put a group of small pots on the matting and drape one end into a sink or basin filled with water. Make sure your pots have an open hole at the base and that clay pots are well watered beforehand.
- The wick method: Ideal for large individual pots, immerse a piece of capillary matting into a full container of water and place the other end of the matting into the soil for the plant to absorb.
- Bath time: For smaller plants that like humid conditions, place on a water-soaked towel in an empty bath. Don’t leave them in a bath or sink full of water as they may be overwatered.
Look after plants while on holiday – outdoor plants
- Rain: Move pots away from sheltered spots to ensure the rain reaches them.
- Create shade: Protect large areas by hanging a shade cloth stretched across a fence or hung from poles.
- Mulch: Give the garden a good watering and mulch well with organic matter. This will help to retain moisture.
- Self-timed sprinklers: Set up a timed sprinkler or attach a soaker hose to your water butt to allow for gradual watering at a controlled level, either early in the morning or in the evening. Move pots to in reach of the sprinklers’ water.
- Water bulbs: Use water bulbs for outdoor pots, ensuring a slow release of water.
- Protect from pests: Common pests such as aphids, slugs and snails, red lily beetles and vine weevils can cause major damage. Do a pre-holiday check for any signs of pests or plant diseases so that you can treat them before you go.
For more information, visit the Garden Solutions area at Wyevale Garden Centres or www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk.
