How to Water Flowers While on Vacation

Overview

Ensuring your plants get enough water while on a trip is a worry for many gardeners. Most plants can survive for up to a week without regular watering, but there are tasks you can do before you leave to help your plants retain the moisture they need. While some of the blooms may fade, the plants will quickly perk up and produce new buds once you return and water them regularly.

Step 1

Water garden beds thoroughly the day before you leave on vacation. Provide a deep, slow watering by laying soaker hoses across beds and allowing them to run until the soil is moist to at least a 10-inch depth.

Step 2

Apply a fresh layer of mulch around plants immediately after watering to preserve the soil moisture while gone. Apply no more than 2 inches of shredded bark or other organic mulch, as more may encourage disease or insect infestation.

Step 3

Dig holes in an unused, partially shaded bed deep enough for your outdoor potted plants. Water the potted plants until the excess water drains from the bottom, then place them in the holes. Cover the top of pot with soil as you fill in the hole, as this will preserve moisture in the pots until you return.

Step 4

Fill a tray with pebbles then add water until it reaches the top of the pebbles. Set houseplants on top of this tray and place a plastic bag over the plant. This preserves moisture in the pot until you return.