Caring for the garden over the holidays

With the holiday period almost here, are you wondering what to do with your plants over the few weeks while you are away?

The summer heat combined with a lack of water can spell disaster for plants, but with some forward thinking you can ensure their survival until you return.

The following garden DIY tips will help you prepare the backyard for the summer holiday.

Mow the lawns

This may come as a surprise, but avoid mowing the lawn to the lowest level possible - instead do the opposite and keep the mower on the highest setting. This actually slows down the growth, meaning you are less likely to come home to out-of-control lawns.

Get mulching

Mulch keeps moisture in, which is essential if your plants are not being watered for a few weeks. The only rule to this is to make sure you mulch everything!

Indoor plants

There are a number of self-watering pots on the market, but if you don't have the time for this, you can be ingenious with the bath instead! Fill the tub with towels and enough water to just cover them, then place the potted plants on top - this will keep them cool from the heat.

Watering on your return

Lastly, when you return it may be tempting to douse everything with water, but make sure you don't drown them - plants will have a harder time absorbing after so long without any water, so little by little is the best tactic.