You can't take your garden on holiday!

Have you got a summer holiday booked?  Lucky you!  A well-deserved break can be the highlight of the year.  But while you’re relaxing in the sunshine (or seeking adventure elsewhere), your garden might not be having quite as much fun. The real challenge is keeping your plants happy and hydrated while you're away.

Even if you’re fortunate enough to have kind-hearted neighbours, family or friends willing to pop in and lend a hand, there are still plenty of practical things you can do before you leave to help your garden survive - and even thrive - until you return.

Here are our ten top tips for a garden that won’t resent your absence:

1. Give everything a good soak.

Before you head off, water your garden thoroughly, ideally early in the morning or during the cool of the evening when less moisture will evaporate. If the soil is particularly dry and hard, start by lightly dampening the surface to break the crust. Then water deeply so the moisture reaches the root zone where it’s most needed.

2. Deadhead like mad.

Removing faded or nearly-spent flowers just before you leave can do wonders. It encourages many plants to keep producing new blooms rather than setting seed and shutting down early. It’s also a quick and satisfying job!

3. Mulch, mulch, mulch.

Once you’ve watered, lay down a generous mulch over your borders and containers. Organic materials like bark chips, compost or even well-rotted manure are excellent choices, helping to lock in moisture and keep roots shaded and cool. Inorganic options like gravel or slate chippings work too.

4. Group pots and use gravel trays.

Container plants dry out quickly, especially in full sun. Place pots on trays of gravel and soak the gravel with water. This creates a humid microclimate and slows down moisture loss. No trays? Just group pots together in a shady, sheltered spot so they can help shade each other.

5. DIY drip feeders.

Make your own slow-release water system with a few plastic bottles. Pierce a small hole or two in the cap, cut off the bottom, then bury the bottle upside down near your plants. Fill it with water, and it will drip slowly into the soil while you're away.

6. Care for hanging baskets.

Hanging baskets are particularly vulnerable, drying out fast in sun and wind. Take them down and move them into the shade. If possible, sit them in a shallow tray of water to help keep them moist (as long as the basket material can handle it).

7. Houseplants need love too.

Stand your houseplants in the bath or sink in about an inch of water. Move them away from hot, sunny windowsills to cooler, shadier areas. This reduces water loss and keeps them happy until your return.

8. Ventilate greenhouses.

Leave the doors or vents of your greenhouse or cold frame open while you’re away. It’ll stop the interior from becoming too hot and dry, which could quickly damage tender plants.

9. Use water-retaining products.

Mixing water-retaining gel or granules into your pots when planting can make a real difference. They won’t eliminate the need for watering, but they do help reduce how often it’s needed—perfect for short holidays.

10. Consider irrigation - but be responsible.

If you’re going away for a longer trip, an automated irrigation system or sprinkler on a timer can be a good investment. But use with care—tap water is a precious resource. Drip systems are currently permitted during hosepipe bans in many areas, but sprinklers usually are not.

With a little planning and preparation, your garden should stay healthy while you’re away. And you’ll come back to flowers still blooming and vegetables still growing.

Safe travels and happy gardening!

(And, if you need some holiday reading, try our blogs on what to do in your garden in July and in August).