1. Check the Forecast
Larger pots should be fine if you’ll be gone for just two or three days, especially if rain is in the forecast. Give them a good soaking before you go. Set up a contingency plan for small pots that usually need daily watering, such as asking a neighbor or friend to stop by and give them a drink. You also could use a self-watering device that slowly delivers water from a reservoir. It’ll work for outdoor container gardens, and you could also set one up to water your houseplants while you’re away.
2. Group Pots
Move portable planters and hanging baskets to a shady spot (pots dry out faster in sun) protected from drying winds. Cluster them closely together so they all benefit from the raised humidity of huddling. Grouping them together also makes it easier to place them strategically to get a spritz from sprinklers or other irrigation systems on a timer. Or try making this DIY self-watering container out of a 5-gallon bucket and moving your most valuable plants into it until you get back.
3. Hook Them Up
4. Set to Auto Drip
With a little preparation, your plants can get the water they need without you there. By taking these steps before you leave, you can be stress-free on vacation and come home to beautiful container gardens that haven’t missed a beat.
