Plant Care During Vacation

Prepare your plants for your vacation.

You should water everything well before you leave. A good, slow soaking will probably carry your plants through a week or so with no additional rain.

I f you plan to be away from your home for two weeks or longer during your vacation, you'll probably need to prepare your plants for your absence.

Why you should cut your grass before…

Cut your grass just before you leave and make plans to have someone cut the grass again in a couple weeks if you're not going to be back by then. Uncut grass is a sure sign that you're gone and the overgrowth will be hard on the grass itself. In fact, if the grass goes too long without cutting, it won't look very good when it is cut.

Mulching is a good idea…

You may need to mulch some of those plants which need watering more often...those include hydrangea, azalea, annual flowers, coleus, caladiums, mums and any new shrubs or trees you may have planted during the spring.

You should sink potted plants in a cool, shaded bed and water them well. Sinking the pots below the soil level will prevent them from drying out quickly.

Cut your blooms…

Cut flowering annuals and perennial blooms to encourage new growth and blooms on your return. If you leave the old blooms and seed heads on the plants, growth and the new bloom crop will be slowed.

After you do this cutting, you'll need to do some fertilizing. A light application of a complete fertilizer such as 8-8-8 worked into the surface, and water, will help the plants grow.

Spray for insects.

You should spray for insects and diseases to keep them from building up while you're gone.

Be sure that walks and beds are neatly edged before your departure, because the build-up of growth while you're away will be difficult to manage when you get back.

For more information on plant care during vacation contact your local county Extension office.