MAKE THIS THE WEEK YOU...
KEEP YOUR GARDEN GREEN WHILE ON HOLIDAY
CALL IN SITTERS
GOING on holiday but don’t want your plants to perish? Almost half of all growers call in ‘tomato-sitters’ to tend their vegetables when they’re away, says a recent YouGov report. But if this isn’t an option, start to water plants less frequently but with more water. It’ll encourage deeper roots, meaning they’ll last a little longer without water.
MAKE YOUR OWN PLANT FEEDER
WORRIED about plants dying from lack of water? Buy a ‘water globe’ to self-water your plants. These small spheres are filled with water and pushed down into the soil, measuring the plant’s oxygen to release only the amount of water required (from £4.95, amazon.co.uk).
PICK UP THE PHONE
THE Parrot Flower Power monitor is a wireless tool that sits in the plant pot, measuring temperature, sunlight, fertiliser and moisture. It then sends a message to your phone when it needs attention. At £49.99 ( amazon.co.uk), it isn’t exactly a cheap option and it won’t do the work for you, but at least you’ll know exactly when to call your tomato-sitter.
MAKE A MOVE
THE easiest way to help your plants survive while you’re away? Have a reshuffle. Move the pots together to increase shade and humidity. Move indoor plants out of sunny spots or hot rooms to prevent them drinking their water supply too quickly.
RIPE FOR THE PICKING
IF YOU’RE going away for a few days, pick any ripe fruit or veg and store it all in the fridge. It may seem wasteful, but if they’re left to mature on the plant, it could stop fruiting altogether.