10 Simple Ways to Keep Your Plants Happy While You're Away

Recently, I was talking with our receptionist, Lisa, who, as it turns out, is a very keen gardener.

Like many of our guests, Lisa loves spending time tending to flowers and pots bursting with colour. But she also knows that one of the biggest worries before heading off on holiday is leaving the garden behind.

"Will everything survive while I'm away?"

The good news is that with just a little preparation, your garden should be ready to look after itself while you're enjoying a relaxing break here in North Devon. Lisa shared some of her favourite tips, and they were simply too good not to pass on.

1. Give Houseplants a Mini Holiday Too

Place houseplants in the bath or shower on top of a plastic sheet lined with a couple of layers of cardboard. Water thoroughly until the cardboard is completely soaked, then close the shower curtain to trap the moisture. A feed before you leave will give them an extra boost.

2. Check for Unwanted Visitors

Before you pack your suitcase, inspect your plants for pests such as aphids or slugs. Treat any problems before you leave so they don't have a chance to spread while you're away.

3. Mulch is Your Best Friend

A layer of grass clippings or leaf mulch helps lock moisture into the soil and slowly feeds your plants too. It's one of the simplest jobs that can make a real difference during warm weather.

4. Water Well Before You Leave

Rather than giving plants a quick sprinkle, soak them deeply for around 20 minutes each evening for two or three days before your holiday. Deep watering encourages stronger roots and helps plants cope better if the weather turns hot.

5. Try Some Eco Watering Tricks

If you don't have someone popping in to water, homemade watering systems work surprisingly well.

• Fill an empty lemonade bottle and use an old T-shirt as a wick.

• Or fill a wine bottle with water and push it upside down into the soil.

Both methods release water slowly while you're away.

6. Move Pots into the Shade

Containers dry out much faster than garden borders. Grouping pots together in a shaded spot creates a more humid little microclimate and helps them retain moisture for longer.

7. Weed and Deadhead

Remove weeds before you leave so they aren't competing for precious water. Deadheading flowers also encourages many plants to keep blooming once you're home again.

8. Hold Off on New Planting

As tempting as it is to pop a few new plants into the garden before your holiday, it's better to wait. Newly planted flowers and shrubs need extra attention during their first week or two.

9. Pick Your Fruit and Vegetables

Harvest anything that's ripe, or even nearly ripe. Tomatoes and strawberries will continue to ripen indoors, so you'll have something delicious waiting for you when you return.

10. Support Climbers and Mow the Lawn

Climbing plants can put on an impressive growth spurt while you're away, so tie them in before you leave. And if the lawn needs cutting, give it a mow as close to your departure date as possible.

With a little planning, you can head off knowing your garden is in good shape and your plants are happy... then fully relax while you're away. After all, holidays should be about unwinding, not worrying about what's happening back home.

Thinking about your next escape to North Devon? We'd love to welcome you to Newberry Valley Park. Whether you're staying on one of our spacious pitches or treating yourself to one of our cosy shepherd's huts, you can enjoy your break knowing your garden is ready to greet you when you get home.