How to Make Sure Your Vegetable Garden Survives When You Go On Holiday
If you are one of the growing number of people who have decided to grow your own and are wondering what you will do when it comes to taking your well-earned summer holiday, then here are a few handy hints and tips to make sure that you don't end up coming home from your amazing trip to discover that you have a bit of a garden disaster on your hands.
Obviously, no garden will be able to survive for too long with absolutely no intervention (and still be producing food for you), but if you are planning a week or two's vacation, then the following tips should help to save much of your potential harvest: Plan Ahead: Ideally, you will have considered holiday time when you planned your garden.
Forest gardens and other elements of permaculture design can really save you time and effort when gardening, as they work with nature rather than fighting against it.
If you grow in pots or traditional rows, then hopefully you will have at least acclimatised your plants to less frequent but heavy waterings rather than regular light ones, so they form deeper roots and are able to sustain themselves for longer between waterings.
Considering these things ahead of time can make your life a lot easier.
Irrigation systems in polytunnels or outside could also make it easier for you to leave your garden for a time.
Don't worry though, if you are about to go away and kicking yourself for not planning ahead, there are still things you can do, last minute, to help your garden cope without you.
Get Rid of Weeds: Weeds compete with the edible plants you are trying to grow for water and nutrients so before you go away be sure to get rid of them all.
This will also help you to keep on top of things when you get back.
Provide Shade: For lettuces and other plants prone to bolting in the hot sun of summer, consider providing them with some shade to lessen the chance of them becoming inedible before you return.
Mulches: Cut your lawn (if you have one) before you go away.
This will not only save you from coming home to find a jungle outside your house, it will also give you some excellent material with which to mulch vegetable beds.
Water really thoroughly and then lay a thick cover of grass and other leaves etc.
around your vegetables.
This will reduce water loss and suppress the weeds.
Watering: Of course you should be sure to give all your plants a big drink before you leave.
Also, if you have not got an irrigation system in place, you can place bottles of water (as large as you can) upside down with a firm interface with the soil.
The water in the bottles will equalise and the plants roots will draw it out as and when they need it.
If you can, experimenting with the size of bottle or bottles needed before you go is a good idea.
This works especially well for pot plants, which are often the first casualties of an ill-timed holiday.
So, if you are thoughtful, you could come back to some very healthy looking plants.
Obviously, no garden will be able to survive for too long with absolutely no intervention (and still be producing food for you), but if you are planning a week or two's vacation, then the following tips should help to save much of your potential harvest: Plan Ahead: Ideally, you will have considered holiday time when you planned your garden.
Forest gardens and other elements of permaculture design can really save you time and effort when gardening, as they work with nature rather than fighting against it.
If you grow in pots or traditional rows, then hopefully you will have at least acclimatised your plants to less frequent but heavy waterings rather than regular light ones, so they form deeper roots and are able to sustain themselves for longer between waterings.
Considering these things ahead of time can make your life a lot easier.
Irrigation systems in polytunnels or outside could also make it easier for you to leave your garden for a time.
Don't worry though, if you are about to go away and kicking yourself for not planning ahead, there are still things you can do, last minute, to help your garden cope without you.
Get Rid of Weeds: Weeds compete with the edible plants you are trying to grow for water and nutrients so before you go away be sure to get rid of them all.
This will also help you to keep on top of things when you get back.
Provide Shade: For lettuces and other plants prone to bolting in the hot sun of summer, consider providing them with some shade to lessen the chance of them becoming inedible before you return.
Mulches: Cut your lawn (if you have one) before you go away.
This will not only save you from coming home to find a jungle outside your house, it will also give you some excellent material with which to mulch vegetable beds.
Water really thoroughly and then lay a thick cover of grass and other leaves etc.
around your vegetables.
This will reduce water loss and suppress the weeds.
Watering: Of course you should be sure to give all your plants a big drink before you leave.
Also, if you have not got an irrigation system in place, you can place bottles of water (as large as you can) upside down with a firm interface with the soil.
The water in the bottles will equalise and the plants roots will draw it out as and when they need it.
If you can, experimenting with the size of bottle or bottles needed before you go is a good idea.
This works especially well for pot plants, which are often the first casualties of an ill-timed holiday.
So, if you are thoughtful, you could come back to some very healthy looking plants.
