You have worked hard all year, now it's time to take some well-deserved vacation! So here you are hitting the roads of Quebec to discover the splendid landscapes of our beautiful province!
But what about your plants?
If you don't want it to be a disaster when you return, the key is to make a good plan before you leave.
Here are our best tips to achieve that!
Clean your flowering plants
Remove wilted flowers and leaves from your plants so that all water resources are available for new growth. You can also remove some flowers, even if they are not wilted. Yes, indeed! Since flowers are demanding in water (and you won't be there to admire them anyway), it's better to leave as much energy as possible to the plant. It will produce new ones for you upon your return!
Place your pots in the shade
As much as possible, move your container plants to shadier locations. This will prevent the soil from drying out too quickly and allow you to space out your watering a bit.
Put mulch in your planters and flower beds
Mulching has many advantages, including limiting soil evaporation, thus reducing watering needs during dry periods. There are several types of mulch such as:
- straw
- shredded branch wood
- commercial gardening mulch
Use oyas
An oya, or olla, is a porous clay pot used as a watering system for over 4,000 years worldwide. The principle is simple: bury this reservoir near your crops, and it distributes water as needed. If the soil is moist, the water stays in the pot. If the soil is dry, the water reaches the roots that need it.
You can use them in your planters or any other type of planting. Models are available on the market, but you can make one yourself at home. Just take a terracotta pot and plug the drainage hole with a cork stopper. Then, bury it in the soil, making sure to leave the rim exposed, and cover it with a lid to prevent evaporation.
Automatic watering
In your gardening store Passion Jardins, you will find several irrigation solutions for your plants, such as soaker hoses. Connected directly to the outdoor faucet, these micro-perforated hoses gently distribute small amounts of water continuously in your flower beds or vegetable garden so they lack nothing. Be careful, however, to comply with your local regulations, as many restrict watering to certain days of the week. You can add a timer or a scheduling device to comply with the rules while ensuring your plants' survival.
You will also find drip irrigation systems for your potted plants, where a nozzle can be inserted into each of your containers.
The plant-sitter
If you're among the lucky ones who can count on someone to stop by the house and ensure your plants don't lack water, that's the ideal situation. To help you leave with peace of mind, prepare a list of practical tips that you can pass on to your plant-sitter.
What about your indoor plants?
Inside your home, even if the plants are less exposed to high heat and intense sunlight, they still have greater water needs during the summer. You can move them away from the windows and place them in a cooler part of the house during your absence.
Also, consider choosing pots with water reservoirs and leaving water in the saucer for this specific period, or mixing clay balls with the soil during planting to promote water retention.
Who said vacations and plants don't mix well? Have a great vacation, enjoy it!
Tips and advice
