Watering plants whilst I'm away?

flutterbyuk25

Hey all

I have a few things growing in pots on my balcony - salad leaves, rocket, radish, carrots, mint and basil. I'm not green-fingered at all so I'm pleased to have this lot growing.

I am going away Weds to Mon and have no-one who can come water my plants whilst I'm away.

Does anyone have any suggestions that will help keep them alive?

Currently they are kept on my balcony, which gets the sun until around 2pm then it's in the shade the rest of the day. I can bring them indoors if that will protect them better (but it does get warm indoors). But my main issue is watering them in this hot weather.

I can water them Weds before I go and Mon on my return so it's 4 days without anything.

TIA

x

tessie_bear

hi in the past we have filled up the kids paddling pool in the garden and lifted the plants in...u could get someone to water them ?hth

Joly_Roger

Group them all together (to reduce air circulation).

Place them as far from the balcony edge as poss (to reduce the amount of sunlight they get).

And use old towels soaked with water (after you get them outside!) to place underneath to act as a reservoir for them and create a more humid environment.

Waterfalls

would u be able to fill a water bottle and turn it upside down into the soil. so it can slowly water the plants?

soul619

Waterfalls wrote: »

would u be able to fill a water bottle and turn it upside down into the soil. so it can slowly water the plants?

will this work for a week end of august do you think?

savemoney

I get a neighbour to do mine and dont have any problems

Always bring them a nice gift back whilst on hols

savemoney

If you cant get anyone put the plants where you can get shade if in pots

also put something around plants to keep moisture in like tree bark, gravel etc

flutterbyuk25

Thanks for all the replys.

Sadly I don't really know my neighbours well enough to entrust with a key, and I don't want to cart the plants around.

The towel idea seems do-able.

Would they be better off indoors, say in the bath tub with towel around/under them. Or leave outdoors?

x

parsonswife8

We put all our pots into a few plastic tubs of water. They can then soak up water thought the holes in the bottom of the pots.

rosie383

Think that's bad??? 4 days unwatered???? We have a new allotment and have worked so hard getting it sorted. My sis-in-law is getting married abroad in the summer and my dh has booked us to go away for 6 weeks :eek::eek::eek: from mid-July to end of August.
My friend who lives nearby will water for me but I can't expect her to put lots of time in. Dreading what it will be like by the time we get back.

zygurat789

The main problem with pot plants is overwatering, neighbours frequently do this, it drowns the plants.
4 Days is no problem, put them in the bath, do not leave plug in, shower (the plants) sorted til at least Monday.