Holiday proofing your garden

It’s great getting away for a summer break but it can be a bit of a stressful time for your garden that’s left behind. Here are a few tips that will help keep your garden happy while you’re away.

Water, water, water!
Give your garden a good deep soak before you leave and remember to avoid watering in bright sunshine. In the days leading up to your break, make sure to water your garden deeply in the early morning or late evening, be sure to avoid the heat of the day.

A great idea is to use upturned water bottles into the soil of the containers. A rule of thumb is roughly one 1.5L bottle per 10 litres of potting mix in the container. Once you’re home a good water and liquid feed will help your garden bounce back if it has dried out while you were away.

Mulch your garden
Mulching your garden will help slow down the evaporation of soil moisture. If you have a container garden move any plants that are in a sunny position into a shadier spot if possible. Again give them a good water before leaving.

Combat insects, slugs and snails
Insects, slugs and snails can also be a problem while you’re away, so a little proactive action can help keep your plants healthy. Spray your garden with an organic combination of Pyrethrum insecticide and Copper Oxychloride for fungal and bacterial diseases on my ornamentals and fruit trees. Then give your veggie and herbs a good dusting with Derris for aphids and caterpillars.

Finally, try and get rid of any weeds in the garden that might mature while you're away as the first principal or easier long term weed control is preventing them from flowering and dropping fresh seeds into the soil.