So, you’ve changed your money, your passport is safely packed, and the dog is already raising hell at your sister’s house – everything is ready for your holiday!
Everything, that is, except your garden.
Often overshadowed by getaway fever, the back garden tends to be quite a long way down the list of priorities when holiday time rolls around. Naturally, the excitement of the trip takes over and the state of your lawn typically falls off the radar, overlooked in favour of packing and pre-journey anticipation.
That being said, for those with green fingers, gardens are a big deal and seeing all your hard work undone by a week in the sun can be heartbreaking.
Luckily, that doesn’t have to be the case! In this blog, we take a look at some top tips for looking after your garden while you're away on holiday.
Preparing your garden for your holiday
If you’re going away on holiday for a prolonged period of time, there are a few things that need to be sorted out before you go – especially if you want to return to the same lovely garden you left behind.
Here are a few foolproof ways to safeguard your garden whilst you're away on holiday:
Get your hands dirty
Weeds can be the bane of a gardener’s life at the best of times, but this fact is especially true during a holiday. These unscrupulous squatters compete with other plants for moisture beneath the ground, leeching water from the soil at the behest of your prize rhododendrons.
To safeguard your plants and flowers from dehydration, weed out the competition and rid your beds of these perennial pains in the butt before you head off.
Off with their heads
While the term “deadhead” could quite easily be applied to your impending mental state, post-happy hour at the poolside bar, the phrase – at least, in this context – describes the removal of flower heads when they are on their last legs. Deadheading prevents debris and directs energy into stronger growth.
It can also be beneficial to trim back emerging flowers as well. While beheading your flowers may seem a tad ruthless, it can help your plants conserve energy and power through during your time away.
Cut to the chase
Whether you’re away for five days, a week or a fortnight, cutting your grass, trimming your bushes, pruning your plants and mowing your lawn can have a profound effect on the health of your garden during your absence.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, it’s recommended that you cut the grass twice a week during the summer months, dropping to once a week during drier periods of consistent sunshine and fine weather.
Naturally, this won’t be possible when you’re away, so be sure to trim before you go, aiming for a closer cut the longer you are away. Leaving the clippings on your lawn will also help conserve and retain moisture in the lawn while you’re away on holiday.
Make it rain
Watering your lawn, plants and flowers before you go can make a huge difference when it comes to preserving your green garden-dwellers until you come back.
Plants need water to survive, and a rainless week or two during your time away can prove too much for even the most resilient flowers. Aim to water as late as possible before you leave.
Perfect timing
If your excursion happens to coincide with a summer heatwave at home, one fantastic way to look after your garden while on holiday and prepare for the drought is to invest in a sprinkler system or automatic irrigation product. This will see your garden watered at regular intervals while you're away, safeguarding your horticultural haven and keeping it in a heavenly condition even in your absence.
Garden equipment experts Hozelock have even developed a garden watering system that’s paired with an app for remote accessibility. Incredibly, this Cloud Controller device can be controlled from anywhere in the world, allowing you to water your garden whether you’re enjoying a G&T in London, sangria in Spain, or beers on the beach in Australia.
Keep it in the family
Finally, one of the easiest ways to ensure your garden is looked after while away on holiday is to simply ask someone to keep an eye on it.
An occasional home visit by a trusted party is a great way to ensure your house is safe during your sunny sabbatical; why not ask if they mind watering the plants while they’re there?
Whether it’s a family member, a friend or even a close neighbour, sporadic watering of plants while you're away can be a real life-saver (quite literally in the case of some flowers).
For more advice on garden maintenance and looking after your garden while you're away on holiday, why not give us a call on 0800 111 4958 and speak with an expert today? Alternatively, click the button below to send your query online.
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