Going away on holiday should mean switching off and relaxing - not worrying about whether your plants are going to survive without you.

 

During the warmer summer months, a few days of hot weather can quickly leave containers, hanging baskets, vegetable crops and newly planted plants in need of water. The good news is that a little preparation before you go can make all the difference.

Whether you're heading away for a long weekend or a couple of weeks, here are some simple ways to prepare your garden before your holiday.

 

1. Give everything a good drink before you leave

One of the simplest things you can do before going away is give your plants a thorough watering.

Pay particular attention to plants that are more vulnerable to drying out, including containers, hanging baskets, newly planted trees and shrubs, and plants growing in sunny or exposed positions.

Rather than giving everything a quick sprinkle, water slowly and thoroughly around the base of the plant so moisture can reach the roots.

It's best to water in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler, helping to reduce evaporation.

If you have a water butt, make use of collected rainwater where possible. It's a simple way to make the most of natural rainfall and reduce your reliance on mains water.

 

2. Move containers into the shade

Containers can dry out surprisingly quickly in warm weather because they have a much smaller volume of soil than plants growing directly in the ground.

If you can, move particularly thirsty pots and hanging baskets into a sheltered position with some shade while you're away. This can help slow down water loss and protect plants from intense summer sun.

You don't need to move every pot in the garden — focus on those that are most vulnerable to drying out.

 

3. Ask someone to check on your garden

If you're going away for more than a few days, having a friend, neighbour or family member check on your garden can provide some extra reassurance.

Leave clear instructions about which plants need watering and how often, rather than asking them to water everything automatically.

Containers and hanging baskets will usually be the priority, particularly during periods of hot or dry weather.

And if your garden is producing plenty of fruit and vegetables, don't forget to ask them to harvest anything that's ready while you're away.

 

4. Harvest ripe fruit and vegetables

There's nothing worse than returning from holiday to discover that your courgettes have turned into marrows and your tomatoes have gone past their best.

Before you leave, check your vegetable patch and fruit plants and harvest anything that's ready.

Beans, courgettes, tomatoes, cucumbers and soft fruits can all develop quickly during summer, so picking ripe produce before you go means you can enjoy it rather than leaving it to over ripen.

Regular harvesting can also encourage some plants to keep producing while you're away.

 

5. Give your lawn a quick check

It's tempting to give the lawn a very short cut before going away so you don't have to think about it while you're gone. However, cutting it too short during hot, dry weather can put additional stress on the grass.

Instead, give it a normal mow if it needs one, but avoid scalping the lawn.

If particularly hot weather is forecast, allowing the grass to remain slightly longer can help shade the soil and retain moisture.

There's also no need to worry if your lawn starts to look a little brown while you're away. Established lawns can often recover when cooler, wetter conditions return.

 

6. Don't do a drastic prune before you go

A quick tidy-up before a holiday might sound like a good idea, but avoid giving plants a major prune simply because you're going away.

Removing lots of foliage during hot weather can expose plants to more sunlight and potentially increase stress.

Instead, concentrate on removing dead, damaged or diseased growth and leave major pruning jobs until the appropriate time for the individual plant.

For smaller jobs, a sharp pair of secateurs can make it easy to tidy up unwanted growth before you leave. Spear & Jackson's range of secateurs and pruning tools are ideal for those everyday maintenance jobs.

 

7. Mulch your borders

Adding a layer of mulch around plants can help the soil retain moisture during warm weather.

Organic materials such as well-rotted compost, bark or homemade leaf mould can be used as mulch. Apply it around the base of plants, taking care not to pile it directly against stems or trunks.

Mulching is particularly useful around newly planted plants and thirsty borders, helping to slow down moisture loss from the soil.

It's a job worth doing before the holiday season begins — and the benefits continue long after you've returned.

 

8. Don't forget your greenhouse

If you have a greenhouse, it can become extremely hot while you're away.

Make sure there is adequate ventilation and consider shading if particularly high temperatures are expected. Check plants carefully before leaving and give them a thorough watering.

As with containers outdoors, ask someone to check greenhouse plants regularly if you're going away for an extended period.

 

9. Leave the garden a little wild

You don't need to give the entire garden a major tidy before you leave. In fact, leaving some areas slightly more natural can benefit wildlife. Seed heads, longer grass and areas of dense planting can provide food and shelter for insects and other garden visitors.

Focus on practical jobs that will help your plants survive while you're away, rather than trying to make everything perfectly neat.

 

What to do when you get home

When you return, resist the temptation to immediately tackle everything at once. Start by checking containers, hanging baskets and newly planted plants for signs of drought stress. Give anything that needs it a thorough drink and gradually get back into your normal watering routine. Then take a walk around the garden and see what's ready to harvest, what needs deadheading and whether any plants need support or pruning. You may find that the garden has grown considerably while you've been away — but that's all part of summer gardening.

 

A little preparation goes a long way

The key to keeping your garden healthy while you're on holiday isn't complicated. Give plants a good drink, protect vulnerable containers from excessive heat, harvest anything that's ready and arrange for someone to check on the garden if you're going away for longer. Having the right tools close to hand can make those final preparations much easier too. From watering essentials and secateurs to weeding and pruning tools, Spear & Jackson has a range of garden tools designed to help you tackle those everyday summer jobs. So get the garden ready, pack your bags and go and enjoy your holiday — your garden will be waiting for you when you get back.