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My hardiness zone is 8-10
BK from Milpitas, CA
A: BK,
Leaving plants in the summer is much more perilous that taking off for a week or two mid-winter. The plants are actively growing now and require much greater amounts of water. Ideally, if you're going to be away for that length of time, you would want to hire a plant sitter. This could be a friend or someone who advertising this service. Contact local garden centers and nurseries for suggestions. If you can't find a plant sitter (or don't have a friend that can drop by), you can try setting up an automatic watering system in your bathtub.
I have no experience leaving plants for this amount of time, so saying a few prayers won't hurt either-one for the plants, and the other one for the bathtub not to spring a leak!
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
By (Guest Post)
05/27/2006
Carlas..
will it work if the plant are all lined up? I have the pots lined up against my ~east facing wall. It is the only one that recieves max sunlight. the smaller plants in front of the window and the tomato plants by the side against the wall part of the wall.
$10 seems a much easier amt to deal with..:)
Thanks.
By
05/26/2006
If you have a location where you can get them all reasonably together - buy a bubbler hose (about $10.00 at any hardware store) and a faucet timer. String the bubbler from plant to plant and set the timer. I do recommend you splurge and get a good timer. As a precaution, ask a friend to swing by once a week just to make sure 'everybody' is alive and well. I also recommend you test the theory for a day or two before leaving, just to make sure you set the timer correctly.
By (Guest Post)
05/23/2006
Jody,
I did..:) I asked my neighbour and friend. but I wanted that as a last option as she also has a 1.5 yr old always on the move toddler..:).
Thanks :)
By Jody (Guest Post)
05/23/2006
Have you thought of having a friend do your watering while you are away or hiring a 'plant sitter'. :-)
By (Guest Post)
05/23/2006
Thanks for your advice... I can't put them in the bath tub as they need the sunlight. the Wicker way sounds nice and frugal. I'm putting that down as a possibility and going to check how much a drip system will cost.
Thanks very much.
By Cheryl from Missouri (Guest Post)
05/22/2006
Fill the bathtub with a couple inches of water and place plant containers in the tub. The plants will absorb the moisture they need through the drain hole in the bottom of the container.
By pamphyila (Guest Post)
05/22/2006
Three months is a long time - but I have WICKED my plants for shorter periods. that is, I have put containers of water next to the pots, and made a wick out of paper towels from the water to the plant. The water is sucked up into the plants - (There are also fancier devices you can buy on the same principle.) ALSO, I have TENTED my plants - that is - enclose them in clear plastic bags or other clear plastic for sort of a mini-green house - That way they get sun, but the mosture evaporates on the plastic and keeps the plants moist. HOWEVER, I am not sure that this will last for more than a few weeks. Couldn't you get someone to fill up the containers for the wicks every 3 weeks or so? Or - what my grandmother did - put all her houseplants in the bath tub and have someone water them occasionally. OR you could install a drip watering system on a timer, like your sprinkler. Hope this helps.
How can I water indoor plants when away? I can group them all in the bath tub. I don't want to lose my orchids!
By soncee
By Luana M.
08/12/2011
So sorry. I'm Luana M. from San Diego who posted last post.
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