If you’re looking to go away for a few days, it can be difficult to keep up with plant watering. But one gardener has shared his cheap DIY bag trick to keep your plants hydrated while you’re away
A gardener shared how you can keep plants watered while you’re away (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
Now that summer has well and truly arrived and the school holidays are in full swing, many families will be planning to head off on holiday, whether that means exploring other parts of the UK or flying abroad.
However, with the warm weather and heatwaves the country has been experiencing, gardeners may be concerned about how their plants will cope without regular watering while they’re away. Although most outdoor plants can manage on rainfall alone, the lack of rain has meant many gardeners have had to step in and water their plants every few days to keep them healthy and thriving.
If you’re planning to go away for a few days, this can become rather tricky to keep up with. While there are various options available, such as asking a friend or neighbour to pop round and water your plants, or investing in self-watering pots, one gardener has shared his budget-friendly method for keeping plants hydrated when he’s away.
Taking to social media, gardener and bestselling author Simon Akeroyd has revealed how an old compost bag can be transformed into the ideal watering tool when you’re heading off on holiday.
“Professional gardeners use bags that slowly drip water to keep their plants alive in dry weather,” he explained. “We can do something similar by repurposing a compost bag.”
How to water plants when you’re awayContent cannot be displayed without consent
After checking that the bag is in good condition, Simon fills his old compost bag with water. There’s no need to fill it completely, as Simon filled it to roughly a quarter of its capacity.
Once he was satisfied with the water level, he used a piece of string to secure the bag shut, ensuring the water wouldn’t spill should the bag topple over.
Using a sharp object, Simon is then seen carefully piercing a small hole at the bottom of the bag while holding it at the top. If the bag is already leaking, this step won’t be necessary.
Before positioning the bag of water next to the plant, Simon begins by moving the containers he wants watered into the shade. However, if this isn’t possible, there’s no need to worry, as the hack will still work perfectly well.
Ensuring the bag is releasing water at a slow drip rather than emptying rapidly, Simon proceeds to place the bag of water inside the container he wishes to keep watered. For those with multiple planters to maintain, simply repeat the process for each container.
Once complete, you’re all set to head off on holiday! As the bag gradually releases its water, it will keep your plant hydrated for up to several weeks.
“When you return, the compost in your pot will be perfectly moist,” Simon explained as he demonstrated the compost in the pot he’d watered. “Enjoy your holiday!”.
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