Joseph Clark, known as Joe’s Garden on social media, took to TikTok to share his top tip for keeping plants hydrated while you’re away. Here’s all you need to know
For those are going on holiday soon may want to make note of Joseph’s hack(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
A gardening guru has shared his wisdom for those who are jetting off on holiday but still need to ensure their plants stay hydrated. For many, tending to the garden is a cherished part of their daily routine, offering the satisfaction of nurturing a thriving green space.
With a diverse array of flora that all require care, it’s crucial to consider their needs. If you’re planning a getaway and fretting over the welfare of your plants, Joseph Clark, also known as Joe’s Garden on social media platforms, might have the solution you need. Over the last two years, he’s been providing a monthly sustainable gardening kit and penned the book ‘Garden To Save The World’.
With an impressive following of more than a million on TikTok, Joseph frequently shares valuable gardening insights and hacks online. In a recent TikTok video, he divulged his method for keeping plants quenched while enjoying a holiday break.
Joseph advises: “This time of the year loads of us are going away on holiday but it’s important we still keep our garden and house plants watered so simply gather up a few different size bottles and start to heat up an old metal fork. Poke a small hole in the bottom of each bottle and another small hole in the cap.”
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He then suggests taking some Q-tips or cotton buds, snipping them in half, and inserting one piece into the cap and the other into the bottle’s base. Following this, he recommends filling each bottle with water.
Joseph remarked: “After a few minutes you’ll notice some small droplets from the bottom Q-tip and if you remove the swab or the cap from the top it will release the pressure and speed up the flow of water.
“Place these bottles around all of your plants then let drip irrigation work its magic and keep them well watered for a good few days while you’re away.”
In his TikTok video’s caption, the green-fingered enthusiast advised that ideally, you should get family and friends to tend to your plants when you’re not around. But. if that’s not possible, he considers this trick as the “next best solution to help give your plants a slow release drink”.
He pointed out that this technique can “buy you some time until you get back home” but it’s crucial to bear in mind that it’s effective for “around two to five days depending on a few factors, such as the flow, weather and the size of your bottle.”
Joseph elaborated: “This method of watering, which is commonly known as drip irrigation, is used around the world in most farms, plant nurseries and garden centres as it is a super targeted way of getting water exactly where you need it, helping not only to water each specific plant, but also to reduce water waste.”
He also revealed that when he’s away, he prefers to “set the flow to its slowest possible setting to prevent water running out too fast”.
However, if using this method for containers, he stressed the importance of checking for drainage holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging, which can “kill your plants just as fast as no water can”.
Joseph’s TikTok video has garnered praise from viewers, with one commenting: “This is a fantastic tip! Works better than praying for rain.”
Another user said: “This is a really great solution! Thank you for sharing.” Others responded with “what a great idea, thank you”, “brilliant”, and “very clever.”