Watering patio plants whilst on holiday

[lynbrown]

Does anyone have any tips on how to keep patio plants moist while i am away for 7 - 10 days? Is there a tip involving coke bottles - or something else?

[almcd007]

Yes you can buy drip feeders which attach to most bottles you turn the bottle upside down and push it into the soil of your plant it then drip feeds your plants for the length of the type of feeder you attach (they have different colours for different amounts and time)

[lynbrown]

Thanks very much. Do these things have a proper name? I have tried looking for them online - but no luck.

[allotment10]

just found this

http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/ search/product/Watering%5FWatering+Accessories /GWT-060.htm

http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/ product/Watering_Self%20watering%20Products/GW T-405.htm


hope it helps.

[saltnpepper]

If your plants are in pots, moving them to a shady spot will help them to go a little longer between waterings, if you can be bothered!

[Figi]

A friendly neighbour is the best idea.

[WendyS]

Also, if you can invest in a couple of packets of water retention crystals and dig them into the compost in your containers these will help retain the moisture in the soil. You can get them from any good garden centre. They will last for up to a year before they start to disintegrate and lose their effectiveness.

[shopper]

Buy a cheap blow up toddler paddling pool. Usually costing about a fiver.
Put it in a shady corner of the garden.
Place your pots inside. It should hold several, depending on the size of the pots.
Fill with water. The plants will have enough water to soak up until you get home.

[almcd007]

They are very similar to the one allotment10 has linked to. I bought mine in France for my Lemon Tree at our apartment and they came with different coloured spikes for different water release. I then found out you could buy them at home a damn site cheaper ! I think it was somewhere like Lakeland or thos other Gadget type books you get with the Sunday papers.