What do you do with plants when on holiday?

Orange_King

I have some of those crystals and am using them for courgettes and other crops - didn't think they would swell to that extent but worth bearing in mind.

ALIBOBSY

Well I was lucky last year as my Dad who is retired and a keen gardener himself offered to come around and do the honours. I told him to take any produce that was ready so him amd mum got a few toms and some strawberries.
I even found he had filled a few holes in our back wall with some spare cement he had, and mowed the grass at the front even though I told him not to lol.

ali x

Furny

Its scary isn't it! :eek:my hubbys itching to get a jolly booked & it's been on my mind what will happen to my poor babies when we go away if my bro in law or mum come & water for me.
Will another person do enough! they haven't nurtured them & don't love them like i do! i worried less leaving my son with my mum for the ist time!:rotfl:

Pixiechic

Alibobsy, can I have your Dad for a while please? What a lovely chap! Mine lives too far away and would no doubt have everything all rearranged in a 'better' way by the time I got back :eek:.

This holiday will be fraught with worry over my poor plants. I will def put some in the bath and find a paddling pool which is a great idea. Also I shall put them in the shade.
I do have some of those crystals so I will use them for then. Thanks for the info of not too many as I usually go a bit overboard with things like that! Not very mse I know but I always add a little bit extra of everything, just in case .
Just going to have fingers crossed for rain showers in England whilst I am away soaking up the sun .
Thanks for all the really good advice (again:o).

earthlysparky

I know this probably should go on the competitions boards, bought thought it was relevant here; you could try winning this automatic irrigation system.
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22AKMCMSK5R?utm_campaign=P3%2BGYO%2BMay%2Bnon-members&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email

"Each kit comes with a computer control to attach to your tap and accessories to water up to 22 containers. It's easy to set up and you can set the computer to water from one to three times a day, so it's perfect to use if you're going on holiday." Could solve your problem?

seraphina

I'm facing this dilemma myself - except a lot of stuff is in the ground/greenhouse and non-moveable.

For my toms in the greenhouse, for short days away I'm goign to try filling up an old pop bottle, punching a few holes in the lid and sticking them upside down in the tomato plant pots.

For longer holidays, I'm thinking of bribing one of the neighbours' kids - I'll bung them a few quid if they pop in every day and put a watering can over each of the veg beds. Pay might be dependent on how many plants are still alive when I get back:D However, I'm hoping that I could do it on turn and turn about with my neighbours.

This is just the kind of thing I thought a guide/scout group could do - they always seem to be raising money for one trip or another and I wouldn't mind giving them a little bit in return.

ALIBOBSY

Pixiechic wrote: »

Alibobsy, can I have your Dad for a while please? What a lovely chap! Mine lives too far away and would no doubt have everything all rearranged in a 'better' way by the time I got back :eek:.

This holiday will be fraught with worry over my poor plants. I will def put some in the bath and find a paddling pool which is a great idea. Also I shall put them in the shade.
I do have some of those crystals so I will use them for then. Thanks for the info of not too many as I usually go a bit overboard with things like that! Not very mse I know but I always add a little bit extra of everything, just in case .
Just going to have fingers crossed for rain showers in England whilst I am away soaking up the sun .
Thanks for all the really good advice (again:o).

My Dad has always loved gardening and getting into GYO myself has brought back many happy memories of pottering around Dads veg patch when we were kids. It has also inspired him to get back into growing some edibles (his current garden was mostly decorative) and has loved sticking a few lollo rossos etc al amoungst the rest.

It has really given him a focus in retirement and regularly when we call around he is outside in his old cardie (those zip up M & S mens cardies will always be my Dad for me lol).

He also said coming to our house gave him an excuse to get out of the house for a bit of peace and quiet (if you had met my Mum you would understand lol).

He had a gorgeous display of daffs just after easter and I only wish my garden was as neat and lovely as his.

He also loves his birdspotting and it is lovely sat in their garden in summer with the kids watching them all come and go to the feeders he has set up he even gets a Hawk sitting on the top of the garage some days-I suppose he is after the small birds that frequest the garden lol.

He is in his 70's though now although you wouldn't guess it from the way he was playing cricket with the kids last week. He even does DIY and electrical work (he was an electrician then and electrical engineer) so very useful to have around.

Dread the day I lose him as I always was a Daddies girl.

Ali x

balloo_2

What do you do with plants when on holiday?

Pixiechic wrote: »

Hi,

I am going on holiday for two weeks and I am worried about what to do with my plants and veg that are growing in containers. I will be away for two weeks and haven't lived where I live long enough to ask the neighbours to go round. What do you do? Will they be okay? Bf says that they should be fine as we go away in June and it will rain but I am not so sure. Any ideas? I know some have rigged up self watering things but I have quite a lot of pots and containers! Help!!! Thanks

You should pack a little case with clean underwear for them bathing costume, sunglasses etc etc lol. Sorry if you want a serious answer from me you got no chance untill lunch time. Best bet is family or friends or neighbours if you get on with them that is capilary matting don't know much about it except it holds water but for how long. My son does mine but everyday while on holidays we have to phone him to remind him about the plants and the dog, for a 25yr old memory like a sieve.