going on holiday

Hi ..well I have a problem because I am going on holiday to Dorset in August and worried about leaving my plants and flowers.My daughter has said that she will water for me but she hasnt got a clue when it comes to gardening and besides the flower bed I have nearly 50 pots in my garden.Has anyone got any tips for keeping my flowers happy whilst I am away?

 

We are away too in August for two weeks in the USA............my sons are 19 and 22 , can't see them watering correctly either :eek:
We have bought chipped bark and put over our flower/shrub beds to try to conserve the water. Not sure what to do about our pots yet either. Have heard its a good idea to put some on trays of shingle and place 'wick' in water to keep them wet...........sounds like hard work to me!! Think I might ply a neighbour with the promise of drink and chocolates to call round and water.

 

Mother in Law always looks after mine :D :D :D

 

We just never go away on holiday during the summer

 

What's a holiday?

 

Oh Netty, your daughter can't be that bad, can she? :confused:

Pot plants would do better if all grouped together thus creating their own micro climate especially if sat on gravel trays. However, if you have that many it isn't practical. Just get your daughter to water once a day either dawn or dusk and if we do suddenly get summer twice a day for the pots.

Give your flowerbed a good soak then use the mulch of your choice to conserve the water.

TO

 

Netty - I wouldn't worry too much about the flower bed. As I am on a meter, I generally never water my beds except in an exceptionally dry period.

However the pots will need to be watered daily unless it is raining every day like now. As Tiggs said, I would be inclined to move them all together, or as many as reasonable. This makes the watering job much easier, and its less likely that some will be forgotten.

I would also be inclined to ask a neighbour - perhaps someone who also has pots. Its so easy if you live next door. I do it for my neighbours, and its really not a chore.

 

I came up with some idea like me watering somebodys plants in Italy and viceversa...
I hardly have anything to water, anyway

 

I'm with Blackthorn !!!

Seriously, we usually ask the elderly folk at our nearby residents home to pop in occasionally, and also in the past, the scouts have helped out after we donated to their summer camping fund.