You probably know it: You're ready for the holidays, but the garden isn't yet. If you can't find neighbors or friends to water your plants on vacation, you need other methods.
So that watering the flowers doesn't become a problem even on vacation, we have put together a number of options for automatic watering. Whether indoor plants, balconies or flower beds - here you will find the right watering for every plant.
Plant watering on vacation: You have these options
If you can't find a neighbor to water your plants while you're on vacation, you can use a variety of methods. Some are better suited for indoor plants, while others are better suited for the garden. In addition to the automatic irrigation systems for the garden and home, there are also numerous ways in which you can easily create an irrigation system yourself.
Watering plants with bottles
A well-known method of watering plants while on vacation is bottle watering. PET bottles are often used for this, but glass bottles can also be used. This prevents microplastics from entering the soil. Bottle watering works best when you use a clay cone that is simply screwed onto the bottle and then stuck into the ground. This only releases the water when the soil is so dry that it has a higher suction potential than the clay cone. The water is not simply released continuously, but only when it is dry. Alternatively, one or two holes can be drilled into the bottle cap, through which the water is gradually released. The holes should be as small as possible so that the water lasts a long time. A cork stopper, for example from a wine bottle, can also be inserted into the opening and slowly releases water.
To keep the bottle stable, you can also stick two long nails into the lid, which will then give you a little more support in the ground.
The size of the bottle should match the water needs of the plant and the length of the vacation. ThisThe method is particularly suitable for indoor and balcony plants. However, depending on how many plants you have, the production of this irrigation system can be quite complex.
Tip - water plants with plastic bottles: Conventional plastic bottles contain bisphenol A (BPA). This is a substance that is highly likely to change our hormonal balance and our epigenetics, i.e. the structure of our genes. Those who are already careful to avoid the intake of BPA should not water their plants with this type of bottle either. Because BPA is also absorbed and enriched by plants. This has already been proven in several studies.
Watering plants with string
Another way to water plants while on vacation is with thread. All you need is a very thick cotton thread and a container with water. Strips of fabric or lamp wicks can also be used instead of yarn.
Instructions for watering plants with string:
- Gather all plants around the water tank
- The water tank must be higher than the flower pots
- Cut yarn or strips of fabric into suitable pieces
- Put one end in the water, the other end in the ground
- Weight the yarn on both sides - for example wrap it around a nail - so that it stays in the water and in the soil
With this method, the water seeps into the soil via the wick. It is powered by gravity because the water tank is placed higher than the watered plant.
Watering plants in the bathtub
If you don't go on vacation for too long, you can water indoor plants well with the bathtub method. If you don't have a bathtub or you only have a few plants to water, a sink or plastic tub is also suitable.
Instructions for watering plants in the bathtub:
- Plug the bathtub
- Put in old towels
- Fill up with about 3 cm of water, more or less depending on the water requirement
- Put all plants inside
Warning: The planter or saucer must be removed with this method. The plants get water through the drainage hole in the plastic or clay pot.
Irrigation with Granules
Plants that grow in clay granules, i.e. inkept hydroponically can be watered for stock. The reservoir in the hydroponic pot can be filled to the brim. However, the water always rises only in small quantities due to adhesive forces on the surface of the clay balls and is absorbed there by the plants cultivated without soil. Despite the large amount of water, there is no waterlogging. This means that planting in hydroponics is not only practical during the holiday season, but also in continuous operation. A water level indicator shows how full the reservoir under the clay granules is.
Note: Hydroponics is usually only operated with mineral fertilizers. However, because it is environmentally unfriendly to produce, we advise against using hydroponics on an overly large scale.
Watering the garden on vacation
In order to supply lawns and flower beds with water while on vacation, automatic irrigation systems are the best choice. With our tips, however, you can prepare your garden optimally for the holiday season even without them.
One way to water beds and raised beds is to bury an open-pored clay pot. The vessel should have a narrow opening and a bulbous shape and not have a drainage hole. Dig a hole and insert the jar into the soil near the plants to be watered up to the opening. The vessel is filled with water and the opening covered. Now the water can be gradually released through the clay to the earth.
Warning: This method should only be used if the plants do not have an extensive root system. This could be damaged by burying the vessel. Alternatively, the clay pot can already be buried with the young plants.
Clay cones can also be used, which are connected to a large water reservoir via hoses, for example a rain barrel. The clay cones are placed in beds and pots and slowly release the water into the dry soil. Also available are clay cones with attached valves that open when the soil is dry and then release water via the high suction tension.
More tips for gardening on holiday
Besides the above ways to water plants while on vacation, we have put together some useful tips like gardening and potted plants belowcan be optimally prepared.
Destroy Plants
Of course, this trick doesn't work for bedding plants. However, tub, house and balcony plants can be placed out of the sun and grouped in the shade or semi-shade. In this way, evaporation and thus the water requirement is reduced and the plants can do longer without additional watering.
Pruning plants
All pruning-tolerant plants should be pruned before the holiday. Withered flowers in particular should be removed. Vegetable and fruit plants can be harvested as much as possible. This also reduces the water requirement, because more leaves and fruits naturally require more water.
Mulch beets
In order to keep the water in the ground for as long as possible and to reduce evaporation, beds should be mulched before the holiday. Bark mulch, such as our Plantura organic pine bark, can be used for this. Our organic mulch made from natural raw materials not only protects against dehydration, but also helps to suppress unwanted weeds in the bed.
Watering and fertilizing
Do not fertilize before you go on holiday. Fertilizer promotes the growth of the plant and it needs more water. Instead, it should be watered liberally. Thoroughly moisten the lawn and beds. Potted plants can also be submerged. This means the root ball is immersed in a container of water until no more air bubbles rise. This is how the irrigation methods mentioned above work optimally, since the water requirement is already covered for the first few days and the supplies in the systems last longer.
Test system
An important tip at the very end: test the irrigation system before you go on vacation. This is the only way to ensure that everything works. You can also better assess the water needs of the plants and take the right precautions.
When choosing the plants, you can make watering easier later on. In our article we have put together drought and heat resistant plants that also do well in dry locations.