Vacation-proof your yard this August: 4 garden hacks to save your plants while you’re away
Going away this August? Avoid these 4 gardening blunders ruining your plants.
When you return from vacation, you may find your garden in disarray, with wilted flowers and overgrown weeds. Florist and garden expert David Denyer shares four tips to help you keep your garden looking lush while you’re away.
1. Move your potted plants to a shady spot: Even if your plants prefer the summer sun, it's best to relocate them to a shady area to prevent them from drying out or wilting due to intense sunlight.
2. Deadhead flowering plants: Regularly remove faded or finished blooms from your flowering plants to help them focus on growing new seeds and buds while you’re away. Use a clean, sharp pair of pruning shears to avoid spreading disease.
3. Water your plants before leaving: Give your plants a thorough watering the day before your vacation. If possible, fill saucers beneath their pots with water for extra hydration. However, be cautious of overwatering, as it can lead to soggy roots and the growth of fungus gnats.
4. Use self-watering globes: Self-watering globes are designed to drip-feed plants with water over an extended period. They come in various sizes depending on your vacation duration. For outdoor plants, you can make your own self-watering device using a water bottle, clay spike or cone, or small holes in the bottle cap.
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