Heading to the cottage for a long weekend, camping, or visiting friends is ubiquitous with summer in Canada. But if you have a veggie patch or containers, leaving your green friends behind can be a stressor.
Fortunately, there are several strategies you can follow to help keep veggie patches thriving while you’re away.
1. Water Deeply Before You Depart. Giving a nice long soak – especially for containers or raised beds – can help plant roots grow deeper and withstand a few dry days. Remember to water in the early morning or later evening to minimize evaporation.
2. Mulch Like You Mean It. A healthy layer of mulch will help prevent evaporation and keep roots cool. I’ve read about five centimetres / two inches tends to do the trick.
3. Enlist a Garden Buddy. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones. Ask a neighbour or friend to drop by, and leave them with simple instructions. Don’t forget to put a 6-pack (or equivalent bribe) in the fridge for them!
4. Soaker Hoses and DIY Hacks. Soaker hosers with a timer are another simple solution. That’s great news if you have soaker hosers and a timer, or the budget for one. If not, try some watering hacks, like upside down wine bottles in terra cotta spikes, or burying terra cotta containers in the soil, filling with water, and covering. These tools tend to work best in conjunction with others listed here.
5. Group Containers in the Shade. If you’re able, move container plants into a shady spot so they dry out more slowly. You get bonus points if you put trays beneath the containers to catch any excess water.
No time for a fancy setup? That’s okay – focus on the basics: watering deeply, mulching, and asking for a quick favour. Following these tips makes it more likely that your plants will forgive and forget.
Do you have vacation plant hacks? Share it with me below or on instagram @MikeLikesPlants_.
Top photo by jwvein / Pixabay.com
