4 Must-Follow Steps to Keep Your Potted Plants Watered While You’re on Vacation

2024-06-26
4 Must-Follow Steps to Keep Your Potted Plants Watered While You’re on Vacation

There are always lots of details to take care of around the house when you're preparing for a vacation. Your list might include tasks such as reprogramming the thermostat and holding the mail, but what about your garden? Your plants in the ground will usually be fine for a week or so without watering, especially if there's some rain in the forecast. But because containers have limited space for holding water and are more exposed to warm temperatures, they tend to dry out much faster.

4 Steps to Keep Your Potted Plants Watered While You’re on Vacation

Nobody wants to come home to wilted or crispy plants, so with a little planning, you can keep your container garden plants happy and healthy while you're out of town.

1. Check the Forecast

Larger pots should be fine if you'll be gone for just two or three days, especially if rain is in the forecast. Give them a good soaking before you go. Set up a contingency plan for small pots that usually need daily watering, such as asking a neighbor or friend to stop by and give them a drink. You also could use a self-watering device that slowly delivers water from a reservoir. It'll work for outdoor container gardens, and you could also set one up to water your houseplants while you're away.

2. Group Pots

Move portable planters and hanging baskets to a shady spot (pots dry out faster in sun) protected from drying winds. Cluster them closely together so they all benefit from the raised humidity of huddling. Grouping them together also makes it easier to place them strategically to get a spritz from sprinklers or other irrigation systems on a timer. Or try making this DIY self-watering container out of a 5-gallon bucket and moving your most valuable plants into it until you get back.

3. Hook Them Up

Purchase one or more container irrigation kits, available at garden centers and online, and enough tubing to reach all your pots; it's actually really simple to set up a drip irrigation system yourself! Once it's set up, a drip system is the most efficient way to deliver moisture to numerous pots.

4. Set to Auto Drip

Use a hose faucet timer to set how often and how long you water. (Test it before you leave to determine the best plan.) Some digital systems can be operated remotely with a smartphone or computer, so you can water your plants from anywhere.

With a little preparation, your plants can get the water they need without you there. By taking these steps before you leave, you can be stress-free on vacation and come home to beautiful container gardens that haven't missed a beat.

Related Article

7 Common Poinsettia Care Mistakes Everybody Makes

7 Common Poinsettia Care Mistakes Everybody Makes

Keep your poinsettia plants looking festive and beautiful by avoiding everything on this list.
How to Tell Thanksgiving Cactus from Christmas Cactus

How to Tell Thanksgiving Cactus from Christmas Cactus

How to tell Thanksgiving cactus from Christmas Cactus
How to Grow and Care for Living Stones

How to Grow and Care for Living Stones

Find out how to grow living stones, unique miniature succulents that look like pebbles. This guide covers how to care for living stone plants, including watering them just right to keep them thriving.
How to Make a Hummingbird Haven

How to Make a Hummingbird Haven

Get out your binoculars and get ready to watch some wildlife. Plant an appealing container garden that rewards hummingbirds and other pollinators with a sweet nectar feast.
How to Make DIY Plant Markers for Labeling Your Garden

How to Make DIY Plant Markers for Labeling Your Garden

Make your own stylish and fun plant markers with these simple directions and supplies for five types of DIY labels.
How to Plant and Grow Saffron

How to Plant and Grow Saffron

Saffron is an expensive spice harvested from an easy-to-grow type of crocus bulb. Here's what you need to know about growing saffron.
How to Plant and Grow Bush Honeysuckle

How to Plant and Grow Bush Honeysuckle

Also called diervilla, bush honeysuckle is an easy-care native shrub that attracts pollinators with cheerful yellow flowers.
Planting a Bradford Pear Tree Might Be a Mistake—Here's Why

Planting a Bradford Pear Tree Might Be a Mistake—Here's Why

You might regret planting a Bradford pear tree because they are considered invasive plants with weak branches and a strong, unpleasant smell.
5 Garden Plans for Solving Your Yard’s Most Challenging Problems

5 Garden Plans for Solving Your Yard’s Most Challenging Problems

If there are spots in your garden that never seem to flourish no matter what you try, our planting plans can help. Download our free guides.
Use This Slope Garden Plan to Add Color and Stop Erosion

Use This Slope Garden Plan to Add Color and Stop Erosion

A low-maintenance mix of annuals and perennials creates the perfect border for a set of steps.
10 Best Lavender Companion Plants

10 Best Lavender Companion Plants

Learn how to grow a lower maintenance edible or ornamental garden with these top lavender companion plants.
12 Tips for Growing Basil in Pots So You'll Always Have This Tasty Herb Nearby

12 Tips for Growing Basil in Pots So You'll Always Have This Tasty Herb Nearby

Make growing basil in pots a snap with these simple tips, including the best types of basil for growing in pots, watering needs, and what to grow with basil in containers.
7 Must-Know Tips for Overseeding Your Lawn

7 Must-Know Tips for Overseeding Your Lawn

Transform a sparse, thin lawn into a thick carpet of turf in just a few weeks. Use these essential tips for overseeding your lawn to ensure lush results.
When to Water Your Lawn for Best Results

When to Water Your Lawn for Best Results

There's a right and a wrong time to water your lawn, and we've pinpointed the best time to turn on your sprinklers to water your lawn for best results.
How to Build a Raised Garden Bed for Easier Veggie or Flower Planting

How to Build a Raised Garden Bed for Easier Veggie or Flower Planting

Learn how to build a raised garden bed with our step-by-step guide, including all the supplies you'll need. This DIY project is easy to do.
How to Get Rid of Grasshoppers So They Don't Eat Your Plants

How to Get Rid of Grasshoppers So They Don't Eat Your Plants

Grasshoppers have huge appetites. Use these tips for how to get rid of grasshoppers and keep them from devouring your garden.
How to Get Rid of Cucumber Beetles on Your Plants

How to Get Rid of Cucumber Beetles on Your Plants

Have you noticed little bugs on cucumber plants in your garden? Find out how to identify a cucumber beetle and prevent these insects from killing your cucumber, melon, squash, and other crops.
18 Backyard Landscaping Ideas to Upgrade Your Hangout Spots

18 Backyard Landscaping Ideas to Upgrade Your Hangout Spots

Use plants, hardscaping, and other backyard landscape design elements such as water features, fencing, and arbors to create privacy and beauty.
How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

Decorative rocks and stones add another element of nature to your yard, whether you grow hydrangeas, tulips, or cacti.
What Are Cover Crops? And How to Plant Them in Your Home Garden

What Are Cover Crops? And How to Plant Them in Your Home Garden

These step-by-step instructions will help you feed your soil and beat weeds naturally.