How to Care for Your Garden While on Vacation

July 29, 2024110

Image from Unsplash.

One of the most popular activities for older adults is gardening. According to one study, gardening brings health benefits like reduction of stress and increase of activity. It isn’t too tricky to keep plants alive. That is, until you go on a long trip. How do you care for your garden when you’re out of town?

Having a garden is a beneficial activity, but it can be stressful to care for your garden if you want to go on vacation. Luckily, there are many ways to prepare your plants for your trip. Keep reading to learn more about effective ways to maintain your growth while on vacation.

Check Out the Weather Forecast

One of the first things you should do before leaving on vacation is check the weather forecast. If you know whether it’s hot or cold, it will be much easier to determine the proper care your plants will need.

If it’s hot, your plants will need far more watering and defense than if it were cooler. You can make your plans for your growth accordingly.

two men working in the garden — Image from Unsplash.

Ask Friends for Assistance

If you don’t want to deal with all the hand-made watering techniques while you’re gone, consider asking friends or loved ones for help while you’re away. You can provide them with a schedule to follow to ensure there’s ample water and protection for them while you’re gone.

Ideally, you want to ask someone to care for your plants that live close enough that they can be there at least at the beginning and end of the day. Consider a family member who lives a few blocks away or another senior citizen who lives in your apartment complex.

Water and Mulch Your Garden

If you don’t have any other options, place a layer of mulch around your plants before you leave and water them well. The mulch will protect the plants and allow a maximum amount of water to soak into the base.

This tactic only works well if you won’t be gone for too long. If the heat is scorching and you’ll be absent for a week, it’s unlikely your plants will survive that long with just one day of mulching and watering.

Add a Timer to a Soaker Hose

If you have time, money, and some assistance, a soaker hose with a timer is the solution to creating an effective self-watering system. All you have to do is stretch the hose around the areas where your plants grow, add a timer, and set it for when you want the water to spill.

Of course, you might need someone to return and check on the soaker hose to ensure it turns on when it’s supposed to. A soaker hose is an effective way to ensure your plants get the nourishment necessary.

Try Self-Watering Jugs

If you want to be creative with your plant care, ask a family member or a friend to help you create self-watering jugs. Save your milk containers, soda liters, and more for a few weeks before your trip. These will serve to defend your plants while you’re on your adventure.

To create self-watering jugs, you must:

Water your garden well before leaving
Poke holes in the base of each plastic container
Press the plastic containers a few inches into the dirt
Fill them with water

These will slowly leak as the dirt dries up while you’re gone. Self-watering jugs aren’t an ideal system. However, they usually are effective at keeping the ground moist and healthy for plants as they grow. You can also order these self-watering bulbs from Amazon.

an up close photo of green plants with leaves — Image from Unsplash.

Set Up an Effective Harvesting Time

Seniors who don’t want to deal with their plants while they’re gone might consider harvesting their crops before leaving. Plant your garden earlier in the year and try to time them so your fruits and veggies will be ready to pick before you depart.

You can then refrigerate your food or freeze them to ensure they’re waiting for you when you return. You can also gift them to your family members for them to enjoy. If all the edible items on the plants are gone, you don’t have to worry about keeping them alive while trying to relax.

Pick Your Vacation Timing Carefully

According to one study, there are ample mental benefits of traveling to a new place. However, that doesn’t mean you must vacation when the weather is ripe for planting. If you can, take a trip during the winter when you don’t have a garden in the ground. It’s an excellent compromise for all parties.

Your trip will likely be much more affordable in the colder months, too. Your trip will be much more enjoyable as you look forward to the warmer months when it’s time to think about planting again.

Feed the Animals

According to one study, having a pet can prevent cognitive decline. If you don’t have a pet, consider leaving your garden for the wild animals to enjoy. While it might seem like giving up, it will reduce the stress from your shoulders and create an opportunity to give back to the wildlife around your home. Deer, rabbits, and more will enjoy the feast.

This tactic is valuable if your garden is on the edge of dying and if you have no one near you who can care for your plants. If your vegetables and fruits are nearly ready for harvesting, don’t give up. However, many animals will go for your plants even if you don’t offer them up for free.

Final Thoughts on Vacation Garden Care

There are ample straightforward and creative ways to care for your garden while on vacation. From watering and mulching ahead of time to timing your vacation well, it’s possible to keep your plants alive while you’re having an adventure far away.

We hope this information is valuable, whether you’re a first-time gardener or embarking on a decade of seasons keeping plants alive. It can be tricky to keep your babies alive while you’re on a trip, but the additional effort is well worth it.

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