Keep reading to learn how to water plants while on vacation so your succulents stay succulent and your vegetables are prize-worthy. With a reservoir to hold our water, a pump to water the plants, and a moisture sensor to signal the pump to operate, you can have a self-sufficient and totally efficient automatic watering system that only needs to be refilled every so often. If you don't need to water such a large area, you can use a smaller bottle, such as a soda or beer bottle. When the dirt needs water, it will flow from the bottle automatically. Make sure the bottle is not too close to your plant and that the bottle is deep enough that the soil covers the holes. NO GREEN THUMB REQUIRED - A foolproof kit anyone can easily install, DEPENDABLE - Superior to terracotta watering spikes, glass globes, or clay watering stakes, STOP OVER/UNDER-WATERING - Automatically maintain an even moisture level, Digitial programmable water timer with impulse solenoid valve, BENEFITS- Transforms any container into a convenient, self-watering planter, reduces watering chores and provides a consistent water supply that helps plants thrive, PRODUCT DETAILS- Built-in fill tube and handy water level indicator, can be used with pots that have a drainage hole in the bottom, includes a water level indicator. Method Five: Tiny Plastic Bag Greenhouse. After attaching the timer to your faucet, you can connect the rest of the hose to the sprinkler head(s) you’ve setup across your yard. However, with a self-watering cube, you can treat up to a few small plants to a life of modern luxury – and see the process thanks to the transparent materials. AUTOMATIC DRIP SYSTEM - These plant watering stakes work without power, batteries, pumps, or timers! With the plastic bag drip system, slow and steady wins the race. Another way to keep your plants watered while you are on vacation is to use string to wick water from a big jug into the soil. Rather than soaking the soil constantly based on dryness, this low-tech but effective method will drip water like a leaky faucet onto the plants. Can technology grow a better garden? When you’re headed off on vacation or a work trip, move your plants out of direct sunlight–behind … We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. While you’re away, as the soil begins to dry out and your plants need water, water will gradually leach out into the soil. With an above-ground water sprinkler setup, you can water your whole yard at once without having to dig up your whole yard. Get a clear plastic bag big enough to cover your plant and its pot. Bought it of Amazon. Whether you’re planning to be away for a few days or simply forget to water sometimes, your plants shouldn’t suffer. Place the jug between the plants. Leave your plant in an area with indirect light (direct sunlight will heat up the bag and likely kill your plant). Whether you’re home or not, they’ll be watered as long as you refill the improvised tank! Cut a piece of cotton rope that's long enough to fit between the bottom of your water container and into the soil of your plant. Cotton clothesline, available at most hardware stores works great. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Pricing last updated on 2020-11-29 at 08:22 / affiliate links - Details, I am about to leave a mature spider plant for a month. You've probably seen those glass watering globes you stick into a pot to water your plant… Some say that the bag should absolutely not touch the leaves, but a little bit of contact is OK. Water your plants as normal, being sure not to overly saturate them. I have left for up to two weeks by putting in pot of a few inches of water. Cotton... DIY drip system. An automatic drip system allows you to water a collection of nearby plants using tubes attached from the reservoir to watering spikes. Cool, huh? Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It's just more insurance that the bag won't press up against the leaves. Take stock of the lighting conditions near your sink or tub – if your plants need a lot of sunlight, don't keep them in a dark bathroom. Blow a bit of air into the bag before you seal it to help the bag balloon around your plant. For this, you need a large water container (like vase or bucket) and some cotton rope. For more info see our disclosure statement. When the dirt needs water, it will flow from the bottle automatically. That way they aren’t overwatered if it rains! Place your plants in a bathtub. You can see the in depth tutorial on this method at Instructables. Well, sort of. These tricks will water your plants for you. When soil dries, it gets loose and fine. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Add stakes to the pot to prevent the bag from clinging to the plants. There's no need to buy them though, because you can easily make your own version. As long as the water’s on, your plants will stay hydrated regardless of if your trip is a weekend or a whole week. All opinions are our own we pride ourselves on keeping our articles fair and balanced. Just if connecting more then couple of pots, your water tank shouldn`t be far from them (to avoid long pipe run) and the pump placement should be higher than water level to avoid syphoning. You've worked hard to grow beautiful houseplants and a healthy vegetable garden with a consistent watering schedule. If you have large and unmovable plants, prefer to avoid plastic bags, or just have too … Pricing last updated on 2020-11-29 at 08:22 / affiliate links – Details, Our Pick: Instapark PWT-07 Automatic Hose Timer, Gardener's Supply Company Self-Watering Pot Reservoir for Planters, Gallon, 5 Star Super Deals Aqua Plant Watering Globes Large - 4pc Deluxe Set - Automatic Watering Bulbs, The 5 Best Garage Fans – Stay Cool With Your Tools, SMALL GARDEN IRRIGATION SYSTEM - Includes everything you need to water 12 plants. Set up a wick. [2] X Research source Altern… Now I haven’t officially tried this watering method while on vacation, … The soil will draw water up to the roots, keeping the plant hydrated for up to one week. I had 9 1L pots to water while I was away for 2 weeks. This method seems unconventional, but it works wells for longer vacations. Any suggestions that would work for a month? This kit fits most standard-sized round pots, allowing them to sit above the water reserve that they’ll use to stay hydrated. The planter needs to be saturated with water before you insert the globe. It’s so good you may even want to use it when you’re home just for the convenience! They also work great for the forgetful gardener. Essential Home and Garden provides trustworthy reviews, guides and tips for anything and everything to do with the home and garden. Bring automatic watering to it with a self-watering conversion kit. We test the latest gardening tech at the Smart Home. Consider Garden Globes – glass water containers with a long neck to slowly release water that is held is the top globe. Fill up empty jugs with water and place your plants around it. Learn more about this project on This Old House. If you’re looking for a longer-term solution that leverages technology to make automatic watering easier & more convenient, a timed & pump-powered watering system may be for you. If you head out on vacation, you don't want your plants to suffer. Multiple flowerbeds across the yard often mean multiple watering systems, so having a cheap but effective individualized option ensures each bed gets the proper attention – attention a yard-wide system may not offer. If you have small plants, you may not have room in the pot to use this … Drill several drainage holes into the bottle close to the top. A bit fancier, you can use a wine bottle witha plant nanny the same way you would use a water bottle – simply fill it with water and insert it into the soil. You’ll also be able to see when more water is needed by the water level in the container. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. Just fill it up, place your thumb over the opening before turning it over and plunging it into the soil. I use one of those automated drip watering systems. Place the plant into the bag, pulling the bag up and around your plant. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. This method is best when the plants are close together such as on a windowsill because otherwise you’ll have a lot of piping to hide. On the schedule you set, the sprinklers will have access to the water from the faucet and spray everything within their range. Make sure that the rope touches the bottom of your container. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. I must say it actually did a great job. You don’t by any means need to construct walls or a roof for this method, it’s quite simple and a great long-lasting solution while you’re away from your plants. Here are a few common household items you can use as a water tank. Before you head out on vacation, water your plant as normal.