Plants needing watered while I am away

[lynbrown]

When I am away on 2 weeks summer holidays, I would like someone to water my garden flowers. My neighbours are either unknown or elderly. The person wont need access to the house as there is a tap nearby. But I am reluctant to advertise that my house will be empty for two weeks. I am happy to pay someone, maybe a school age person. Any ideas?

[ethandron]

Do you have an outside tap?
If so you can install an automatic watering system. We installed one 3 years ago when we started going on long holidays. (Up to 8 weeks at a time.) Now we use it all the time even when we are at home and the garden has never looked better. They are quite cheap and very easy to install.

[lynbrown]

Thanks for help but the tap is communal and I couldnt do as you suggest. Thanks anyway - any more ideas please?

[beanebabe]

Do any of your friends who live nearby have relatives / grandchildren who would be glad to help for a bit of pocket money. You might have an active elderly friend who might be grateful of a little extra job to do.

[ChuckFickens]

Do you have a local evening paper delivered? see if you can catch the paper boy/girl and ask them if they would be prepared to stop and do it while out delivering the papers.

[kira000]

You could advertise in news agent window for some one to do garden Oddjobs for a few hours a week for a few weeks. then when someone applies, you can fill them in. Saves advertising for a plant waterer. You often get retired people (reliable and usually glad of some extra money).

[lynbrown]

Some really good ideas - thanks.