How to Keep Your Plants Happy While You Travel
Summer is prime time for both gardening and getaways—but what happens when you’re doing more suitcase-packing than soil-digging? Whether you’re heading to the lake for a weekend or taking off on a two-week vacation, your garden doesn’t have to suffer while you’re away.
Here are 5 easy tips to help you keep your garden thriving—even when you’re not around to tend to it daily.
1. Time It Right Before You Leave
A little prep goes a long way. A few days before your trip:
- Water deeply– Give your garden a thorough soak—especially if rain isn’t in the forecast.
- Mulch everything– Add a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around your plants. This helps lock in moisture, keep roots cool, and suppress weeds.
- Deadhead and prune– Remove spent flowers and trim back overgrown or leggy plants so they’re in good shape while you’re gone.
2. Automate Watering (or Make It Easy for Helpers)
- Set up a soaker hose or drip system on a timer. These are lifesavers for longer trips and can be reused year after year.
- No irrigation system? Group containers together in the shade and ask a neighbor or friend to give them a drink every few days.
- Water-saving tip: Place a few water-filled wine bottles (upside down) or self-watering spikes in your containers to keep soil moist slowly over time.
3. Choose Low-Maintenance Plants
If you’re a frequent traveler, it’s smart to plant with your schedule in mind.
- Look for drought-tolerant perennials, such as SuperBlue English Lavender, Vanilla Drip™ Coneflower, or Dreameria® Sweet Dreams Thrift.
- Rebloomers like Ever After™ Azaleas often need less fuss to keep the color coming.
- Self-cleaning annuals (like many calibrachoa or petunias) keep blooming without constant deadheading.
4. Use Containers Strategically
Pots dry out faster than garden beds, but they’re easier to manage when you’re away.
- Move containers to a shadier spot to slow evaporation.
- Group them together to create a more humid microclimate.
- Set them in trays with a bit of water (but not so much that roots sit in soggy soil).
5. Don’t Overdo the Fertilizer Before You Go
It might be tempting to give your plants a big nutrient boost before a trip, but hold off. Fertilizing right before leaving can cause a growth spurt—just when you’re not around to manage it. Stick with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer if needed.
Gardening while you’re gone is possible—with a little planning and the right setup. Whether you’re out of town for a few days or flight hopping all season long, you can come home to a garden that still looks great—and may even be surprised with new blooms.
Safe travels and happy growing!
