You have worked hard all year, now it's time to take a well-deserved vacation! So here you are, hitting the roads of Quebec to discover the splendid landscapes of our beautiful province!
And what about your plants?
If you don't want a disaster when you return, you need to plan a little for the upcoming weeks!
Not everyone is lucky enough to have neighbors or friends available to stop by the house and ensure your plants don't run out of water. If you are among the lucky ones who can count on a precious ally, great. Otherwise, here are some tips that will allow you to take care of your plants, even in your absence.
Clean your flowering plants
Remove the 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. Flowers are demanding in water, so since you won't be there to admire them, it's better to leave as much energy as possible to the plant so that it can produce new ones for you upon your return!
Place your pots in the shade
As much as possible, move your container plants to shadier areas. This will prevent the soil from drying out too quickly and will allow you to space out the watering a bit.
Soaker hoses and other watering solutions
At your Passion Jardins® garden center, you will find several irrigation solutions for your plants, such as soaker hoses. Directly connected to the outdoor faucet, these micro-perforated hoses gently distribute small amounts of water continuously in your flower beds or vegetable garden so they don't lack anything. Be careful, however, to respect your municipal regulations in this regard, as many restrict watering to certain days of the week. You can add a timer or a clock to follow the rules to the letter while ensuring the survival of your plants.
You will also find drip irrigation systems for your potted plants where a nozzle can be inserted into each of your containers. Again, the timer will be a valuable ally to avoid excess water or reprimands from your municipality.
Little home trick
For your pots, bins, and other containers, you can easily create a small homemade irrigation system. Take an empty plastic bottle and pierce holes in the cap using a nail. Then fill the bottle with water and place it upside down at the base of your plant. Don't forget to pierce a small hole at the top of the bottle. The water will slowly flow out as the soil dries.
What about your indoor plants?
Inside your home, even though the plants are less exposed to high heat and the blazing sun, they still have greater water needs during the summer. You can move them away from the windows and place them in a cooler area of the house during your absence, such as the bathroom.
You can also use a container filled with water and place it above your plants, on a chair or table. Place pieces of yarn in the water and let them go down towards your plants, inserting them into the soil. Thanks to the principle of capillarity, the plants will have access to the water source to nourish themselves.
Also, consider choosing pots with water reservoirs—and leave water in the saucer for this period specifically—or mix clay balls into the soil during planting, as they promote water retention.
Who said vacations and plants don't mix well? Have a great vacation, enjoy it!
Tips and advice
