NO one wants to come back from a holiday to find their plants wilting.
But there are simple steps you can take to ensure that they stay hydrated while you are away.
Follow these tips and see what a difference it makes . . .
WINE NOT? To keep potted outdoor plants thriving while you take a break, all you need is a clean, empty wine bottle.
Water the potted plant first then fill up the bottle from the tap.
Place your thumb over the top like a stopper then turn the bottle upside down and bury it top-first in the soil, around three to four inches deep.
The water should then gradually seep out into the soil.
STRING ’EM ALONG: A length of thick, natural string or a narrow strip of cotton fabric is a method that works for both indoor and outdoor plants in pots.
Place one end of the string inside a jug until the end touches the bottom.
Poke the other end into the soil right by your plant, pushing it down to around three inches.
Soak the soil then fill the jug with water, making sure the end of the twine stays at the bottom.
Then place the jug so the top of it is above the top of the plant’s po — on a brick or upturned pot if you need to make it higher.
Gravity will do the rest, pulling the water into the plant’s soil.
POT LUCK: If you have a thirsty plant that you want to keep watered, all you need is a small terracotta pot.
Block its holes with some household putty then bury the pot up to its rim in the earth right next to a plant you want to stay watered.
Fill the pot with water and cover it with a saucer.
When the soil around the pot dries out, water will slowly seep through the porous terracotta and keep the earth damp.
TEST THE BEST: It’s best to try these methods before you go away, to check they all work as you want.
Then you can head off on your hols, happy your plants will stay perky.
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