Going on Holiday
18 July 2002

This is the traditional time to take a holiday. The children are off school and there is the chance of reasonable or even good weather. It is possible to get someone to look after the dog, cat, budgie and the goldfish in your absence but the garden - no-one wants to know. It is a lot extra for a neighbour to take on at a time when their own garden is suffering from a lack of man or woman hours.

Whether the sun shines on you when you are away or not, Murphy’s Law states that your garden will suffer drought conditions from the moment you pack your case.

There are precautions you can take in the garden. Water well a few days before you leave and check with a spade that the water has penetrated at least 6 inches deep. Mulch as much as possible to help retain the moisture and reduce the risk of weeds.

Laying landscape fabric or layers of newspaper under the mulch will help. Bark or gravel are good mulches. Old farmyard manure or seaweed, mulch and replace nutrients. Allowing the lawn grass to grow a little longer will conserve moisture. The worst action is to close cut the lawn before you leave hoping it won’t be out of control when you return. A close cut will encourage moss and allow moisture to escape through evaporation.

Pick all the peas and beans before you leave including half filled pods. Cut any sweet pea flowers which are open. If they are allowed to form seed there will be fewer flowers when you return.

Move the containers of plants and the hanging baskets to the shaded, cooler North side of the house and stand them in trays of wet peat. After watering, mulch the top of the compost with gravel or wet peat.

Sunlight is the main cause of green algae on ponds. While you are away cover at least half of the pond with planks or plywood to keep it shaded. There is a chance you might arrive home with a suntan and be able to see your reflection in crystal clear water.

Don’t forget the indoor plants. They will all benefit from a holiday. Keep them in their pots, water well and plunge them outside into the shrub beds. They will enjoy the fresh air and daylight. If they don’t like direct sun, plant them in light shade among the larger shrubs or in the shade of a tree. Protect those which are vunerable to slugs and snails with bait or surround the plant with a covering of coarse grit.

Dead head the roses and if you treat against black spot and mildew give them a spray before leaving. Check for rose suckers which, if missed, will be feet high when you return.

After all that, I reckon you need a holiday!

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