Off on holiday soon? Time to put some thought into how you’re going to keep your garden healthy and under control while you’re away.

The easiest option is to employ a gardener to come in and do regular upkeep tasks for you, but if this isn’t an option, there are some things you can do yourself before you leave that will give your plants the best chance of getting through unscathed.

Watering
The evening before you leave, water the lawn and garden generously. Stand saucers or trays underneath your plant pots and planters and after soaking the plant make sure this is filled up too to create a reservoir. This keeps the surrounding air moist and means the roots have access to water for longer. Also move pots into a shady spot to prevent them drying out completely.

Dead head flowering plants before you leave, especially roses, and remove blossoms that are fully open too. Give the plant a good feed to encourage healthy growth and avoid disease.

Lawn Care
If your grass has turned yellow and dry over the summer, don’t cut it, just give it a good water before you leave. If you’ve managed to keep it green so far, cut it enough to keep weeds down but leave it at a good length. You can also leave the cuttings from mowing as mulch on the grass while you’re away. This may look untidy, but it keeps the sun off the grass, keeping moisture in.

Hedges and Shrubs
To keep shrubs and hedges tidy, a couple of days before you go away cut back overhanging branches to a healthy growth.

Photo credit: Gone Fishing, Stephen McCowage