We all love vacations, don’t we? But we love our plants just as much. A lot of time and effort goes into growing plants so it’s natural to worry about them when going on a vacation. Self-watering techniques have been around for a while now and they can help you keep your plants hydrated while you are away.
No matter how enthusiastic you are about gardening, we all need a time to unwind and relax. Unfortunately, your plants are not going to take care of themselves while you are away. So if you are planning on being away from your plants for a few days or even weeks, there are some steps you must take before stepping out the door. Here are some tips to help take care of your plants while you are away on a vacation.
Watering the Plants
Before you leave, move your pots and plants to a cool and shady environment and don’t forget to water them. This will ensure the moisture will not dry up quickly in the presence of sunlight. If done correctly, your plants can survive for a week in the absence of watering. However, be mindful of the fact that some planters like terracotta can absorb moisture faster than a resin planter.
DIY Drip System
Making a drip system with a plastic bottle is the easiest and cheapest way to ensure your plants stay hydrated in your absence. To build this, take a plastic bottle and drill several tiny holes near the bottom. Before leaving for your vacation, fill this bottle with water and insert it into the soil. This will ensure a constant source of water for your plants as the soil dries and soaks up the water from the bottle.
A Houseplant Bath
If you have multiple plants that need constant attention, then this method should do the trick for you. Block the drain of your bathtub or sink and fill it with a few inches of water. Then carefully place some towels to soak up all the water before placing your plants on top of them. The wet towels will constantly hydrate the soil as it dries up. This method should help your plants survive for a week without intervention.
Appoint a Sitter
If you have a lot of plants which need individual care and attention, then it might be more feasible for you to hire a plant sitter. This is also a good option if your vacation is going to last longer than a week. Move all your plants near a convenient location at an entrance or in the garden. Then ask a friend, family member, or neighbor if they can keep an eye on your plants for you.
Plastic Greenhouse
This one is a bit tricky but if you get it right, you may have an optimal system in place for your plants that can hydrate and nourish them at the same time for a few days. To build this, take a few wooden stakes and place them in a new pot. Place your plant in the new pot so it can keep the wooden stakes in place. Now, using the support of the stakes, cover the entire setup with a plastic bag. Seal the plastic with duct tape or plumber’s tape so it can function like a tiny greenhouse.
At TerraCast, we understand how important your plants are to you. That is why we provide only the best self-watering planters to all our customers. To learn more about how you can take care of your plants with our self-watering products, get in touch with our friendly staff today.