Garden boss Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk has shared his tips on how to holiday-proof your garden so you don’t have to worry about it on your much-anticipated break. Summer can be a challenging time for your garden, so it’s important to make preparations ahead of your holiday to ensure your precious plants aren’t suffering in the hot and dry weather. The key thing to consider is keeping your plants hydrated while you’re away. Make sure to apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of your garden plants to retain moisture in the soil and suppress weed growth. 

The night before you leave, give your plants a thorough soak, making sure to water at the base of the plants. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, set it on a timer to water your garden plants regularly. Another excellent option is a drip irrigation system which delivers water directly to the plant’s root zone. 

There are also more budget-friendly self-watering options available, such as watering bulbs or water-holding crystals which you can insert into the soil. 

Even upturned water bottles with a few small holes can work as DIY slow-release systems, keeping your plants hydrated over several days.

If you have potted plants in your garden, place them in the shade and group them together to create a microclimate that increases humidity and reduces water loss through evaporation.

Make sure to also deadhead your flowers and prune any overgrown branches before leaving to promote healthy growth and reduce the risk of disease. 

Seven tips on how to holiday-proof your garden

1. Apply mulch

Before you go, spread a layer of organic mulch over your garden beds. Using materials like bark chips or compost, mulch helps the soil retain moisture, suppresses weed growth and protects roots from temperature swings. 

2. Water deeply 

Give your garden beds and potted plants a thorough soak before you leave. Make sure to not just water the leaves, but the base of the plants, so that the water reaches the roots. Do this the evening before or the morning you leave to reduce evaporation and ensure maximum absorption. 

3. Use self-watering options

If you have an automatic sprinkler, set it on a timer so your plants still get regular watering while you’re away. Another effective option is a drip irrigation system, which delivers water slowly and directly to the plant’s root zone. For a more budget-friendly approach, try self-watering tools like watering bulbs or water-holding crystals, both of which can be inserted into the soil to gradually release moisture over time. 

4. Create a DIY watering system 

You can also create a DIY watering system which involves repurposing plastic bottles as slow-drip irrigation. Pierce small holes in the bottle cap or sides, fill it with water, and insert it upside-down into the soil. By releasing water gradually, your plants will be watered for a few days, making it a perfect option if you’re going away for a short trip. 

5. Group potted plants together

If you have potted plants in your garden, make sure to find a spot for them in the shade while you’re away. Group them together to create a microclimate that increases humidity and reduces water loss. 

6. Deadhead and prune

Trim back overgrown branches and remove any dead flowers before you go. This helps promote healthy new growth and lowers the chances of pests or diseases taking hold while you're away.

7. Avoid feeding

Hold off on fertilising right before your trip. Feeding boosts growth, which in turn increases water consumption, and that is something you want to avoid when you're away.