[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ne of the first concerns many of us have when we are getting ready to go on vacation is whether or not we have packed everything for our trip. We then move on to making sure all installations in the house have been checked and unplugged. Also, if we have any beloved pets, we have to make sure they are looked after. But chances are our plants and flowers situation is the last thing on our to-do list before our trip. And so instead of coming home to our lush garden, we are greeted with a wilted one instead. Fortunately, we have several great (and effective) tips on how to keep our beautiful plants and flowers alive and blooming while we are away on vacation.
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[tab title=”The Right Plants For Our Lifestyle” icon=”entypo-book”][/tab]
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If traveling is something we do often, then choosing the right type of plants and flowers is key. The last thing we want to do is pick out ones that require more times, money and energy we can’t realistically fulfill. A great option for us always on the go is to pick up drought tolerant plants for our garden. Not only are there are a ton of great, and quite interesting and colorful garden design ideas we can do, but we will have the assurance that our garden will thrive while we are away. We suggest heading over to a local gardening center to ask which plants are best for your lifestyle and commitment.
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[tab title=”Good Soil is Key” icon=”entypo-book”][/tab]
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When it comes to the health of our plants, the biggest problem is the moisture of the ground they grow on. This is something we definitely need to prepare for we are taking any summer vacations. Now, apart from regular watering, there are other ways to improve the condition of the ground for summer heats. For example, adding mulch is a proven way of prolonging moisture. It is essentially material (i.e leaves, bark chips, etc ) that is layered over the surface of our soil for the purpose of conserving moisture and aiding the overall wellbeing of our plants.
One of the things we need to look out for when we’re inspecting our soil is to see if there are any signs of pests since they can be dangerous to the overall state of our garden–even more so than severe drought periods. However, we should only use pest deterrents if absolutely necessary as we can do more damage than good if improper deterrents are applied.
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[tab title=”The Power of Drip Irrigation” icon=”entypo-book”][/tab]
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Drip irrigation systems are actually becoming more affordable these days. The best time to install a drip irrigation is before the growing period begins. So when we plan our vacations ahead, we should also plan our irrigation improvements as well. However, we can still install them any time of the year, it will just take additional time and effort. Never seen or heard of a drip irrigation? Essentially a drip irrigation consists of placing tubing with emitters on the ground all alongside our plants. The emitters then gradually drip water to the roots of the plants. This is why drip irrigation is a savvy and an economical way to keep our gardens looking fresh, although it will require some investment.
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[tab title=”Good Old Sprinklers” icon=”entypo-book”][/tab]
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Sprinklers are the classic way of keeping the ground wet throughout the year. If positioned well, they can spray equal quantities of water and make sure our soil is sufficiently moist. Generally, we can position the sprinklers in areas that could potentially need more moisture while we are away. However, we do suggest sprinkler systems with timers as these are the ideal solution for making sure our garden gets the water it needs automatically without being wasteful either.
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[tab title=”Self-watering gadgets” icon=”entypo-book”][/tab]
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This is a great DIY alternative for those of us going on a quick weekend trip and don’t want to spend the time or money on a full irrigation system. We can use old plastic bottles, water containers or even barrels to make self-watering devices that serve as temporary irrigation systems for when we are away. All we do is drill small holes in the bottles and containers, and then position them close to the plants. Next we just push them in slightly and fill them with water. They will start to gradually release water into the ground, making sure it is nice and moist.
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[tab title=”Our Trusty Friends” icon=”entypo-book”][/tab]
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Asking our friends or family members to look after our garden is definitely the way to go, especially if you’re in a bit of a pinch of time. Now they don’t have to be a professional or a green thumb to take good care of our plants. Just as long as we leave detailed instructions on what they need to do then everything should be fine. If we want to make sure everything goes smoothly, simply invite the friend over prior to the trip and walk them through each step they need to do. This will give us a peace of mind. Now, naturally be prepared and willing to return the favor.
