16:08 - 20 August 2010
One of things that many gardeners struggle with is taking time off for a holiday. With school holidays pretty much at the busiest and sometimes most challenging time in the garden, taking a break can be a difficult decision. If you’ve booked a break in the sun, be sure you’ve prepared your garden for your absence, both in terms of pest control and plant health
Intro
Traditionally August is the month when we make the most of our gardens and all the hard work that has gone into making them beautiful. But the reality is that the summer months for many are the only time that the whole family can get together for a well-earned holiday, and that means leaving the garden to its own devices during what can be the hottest time of year.
While many plants, especially those from Mediterranean climes simply thrive in the heat, others, especially newly planted trees and shrubs can suffer appallingly in hot dry weather, and some may even die. So a summer holiday can become a living nightmare for the gardener of the family.
Water wise
There’s a lot you can do to help your garden and its plants survive a week or two away and the chances are there’ll be some rain at some point to boost your efforts and help your plants through the fortnight.
Employ the latest watering gadgets and gismos such as micro-irrigation, seep hoses and automatic timer and be sure to turn the tap on at the mains if you are connecting a timer or other regulating device. Don’t forget to check with your water company if there is a hosepipe ban in operation as this may affect what gadgets you are allowed to use.
Water everything thoroughly before you go away, see if you can pay a keen and local youngster to come and water the plants twice a week, it’s worth paying the extra pocket money if it means you don’t lose your plants. Move planters and containers together and into a sheltered and shady part of the garden where they won’t be so quickly desiccated by the summer sun. They will be easier for a neighbour to water if they are clustered together.
Bug watch
When it comes to pest control while you are away you have two options. Either scrutinise every plant and shoot before you leave and apply the necessary chemicals to kill off any evidence of pests, or you can utilise the powers of nature, which is far more environmental, but it does depend on what you normally do. It’s no good expecting nature to step in, if you normally, religiously spray everything in sight.
If you prefer to garden with nature, then fill up the birdbath, check on the pond, top up the bird feeders and while your garden is devoid of human activity, hopefully the wildlife will have a feast on bugs instead. Provide feeding stations for butterflies, ladybirds and bees, plant a few pots of brightly coloured annuals and let nature do the rest.
Refill slug traps and replenish the barriers so that your plants do not become the latest delicacy for these slippery beasts.
In the greenhouse install automatic watering and move everything that can be grown outside, outside. Cover over the open windows and doors with screens of mesh and release the relevant insect predators inside to deal with red spider, greenfly, whitefly and whatever else is festering inside. While you are away sunning yourselves these natural predators will be dining a la carte.
Harvest
Unless you have someone coming in to harvest your crops, it’s better to pick all the immature beans, courgettes and squashes before you leave so that during the time you are away your plants are concentrating on growing new crops ready for your return. Otherwise persuade someone to come and tend your patch in your absence, with the promise of fresh fruit and vegetables. The lure of fresh fruit and masses of fresh vegetables should be too much for them to decline. It might even be the nudge they need to start growing their own fruit and vegetables and then who knows, you may end up with reciprocal garden care arrangements for years to come.
