You’ve waited months for it, and it’s finally here – your summer vacation! You’ve packed your bags, gassed up the car and grabbed a map as you head out the door. How nice to be free of the day-to-day grind for a while.
Use 1-2 inches of mulch in landscape beds to retain soil moisture.
Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco
Don’t hide the hose – keep it handy for your garden helper!
Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco
So whose green thumb is taking over for you while you’re on the beach, and what will your garden look like when you return? The answer: It all depends on how well you’ve planned. Here are some helpful dos and don’ts so you and your garden will enjoy the time you’ll be spending apart:
Do prepare a list of garden chores to be done while you’re away, then find and hire a responsible neighbor or teenager to help get the chores done. Provide written detail, and have your helper spend some time with you in the garden before you leave. Show him or her where things are and how you’d like the work done.
Do plan to have your lawn mowed if you’ll be away for more than 7-10 days. Your garden helper doesn’t need to fine-tune every square inch of grass the way you would, but it’s wise to keep the lawn at the proper mowing height so you don’t come home to an overgrown jungle of grass!
Do invite a neighbor or friend to harvest any ripe vegetables or fruit from your garden. What a waste to let ripening edibles rot on the vine – share your bounty while you vacation!
Do have all the needed tools handy! Think about the chores you’ve asked your helper to do. Make sure the lawn mower has gas, hoses are attached to spigots, sprinklers are nearby and so on.
Do consider applying 1-2 inches of organic mulch to your landscape beds. Why? Why not! Mulch helps retain needed soil moisture and keep weeds at bay.
Don’t depend on Mother Nature to handle the watering while you’re away! This is especially true for gardeners who live in already drought-affected areas. You know what it takes to keep your plants and lawn watered and happy, so plan for that when hiring someone. Timers can also come in very handy for that much-needed watering while you’re gone.
Don’t fret over a few weeds that might pop up while you’re away. Chances are they can be easily handled when you return.
Don’t worry about liquid-feeding your annuals or vegetables while you’re gone either. A short respite from feeding isn’t going to upset your garden.
Don’t beat yourself up! If a few plants give up the ghost while you’re away, so be it. Annuals and vegetables should be the least priority in the garden. Top priority: Make sure that your lawn, trees and shrubs are cared for. Those are your greatest investments!
It goes without saying (but I’m gonna say it anyway): If you don’t plan for good garden care while you’re away, you shouldn’t expect much when you return. Plan for your garden like you’d plan for your vacation itself – wisely – else your Garden of Eden could become a Garden of Weed’em!
