Out of Town Gardening Woes

Taking off on vacation or even an unplanned trip can be a source of great anxiety to some people, especially during peak gardening months. You've put a lot of time and care into your garden, and you don't want things to fall apart while you're gone. Sure, you can ask a friend or neighbor to check on your garden while you're away, but are they going to care for it like it's their own? Do they know what each plant in your landscape needs? There are, however, some things that you can do beforehand to ensure a lush and healthy lawn and garden while you're away. For instance, when it comes to the lawn, you can deeply water the yard the evening prior to your departure. If the lawn needs mowing, wait a couple of hours for it to dry out after watering or mow it first. Mow the grass to a slightly shorter length than usual, but be careful not to get the grass too short or it will burn. In the event of a heat wave or dry period, you should go ahead and arrange for someone else to look after everything. I know this isn't very comforting but it is necessary. Be sure the person is someone with which you trust wholeheartedly. Thoroughly check your garden for insects, rot and disease. All ripe and nearly ripe fruits and vegetables should be picked. Scour your flowerbeds and remove spent blooms. Thoroughly weed your garden and apply mulch to barren spots. Of course, it never hurts to add a little extra compost. This way your plants will have a healthy dose of nutrients while you are gone. Give your garden a deep watering too. The best way to accomplish this is with the use of a soaker hose that can be easily weaved throughout your garden area. Before leaving on your vacation, move all of your containers and hanging plants (houseplants too) away from direct sunlight and place them in an area of dim shade. By cutting back their light supply, you minimize their growth and decrease the amount of water that they will require during your absence. These, too, should be watered deeply. Remove the bottom trays, if necessary, to prevent the plants from sitting in water the entire time you're away as this can cause their roots and other parts to rot. As with other garden plants, remove any unsightly foliage or flower growth. If you expect to travel a lot, it generally helps to incorporate a wider variety of xeriscape plantings in the garden. These types of plantings are accustomed to less water and will limit your need for worry as they are low-maintenance plants. No one wants to come back home to a dry, unkempt garden. You can always take a chance by allowing someone else to look after your precious garden; however, if you take the extra effort to prepare your garden and surrounding landscape beforehand, you won't have to.