The well-deserved summer holiday can never come soon enough. The chance to put your work concerns on hold, forget about the housework, and let someone else do the cooking allows you to truly immerse yourself in a bit of rest and relaxation. Some things may still play at the back of your mind and a notable one may be your garden, especially if you have invested considerable time into making it your haven.
Plants need watering, weeds need treating, and grass needs cutting. Add in the greenhouse, the fishpond, and anything else you can think of and there is every chance you could be returning to more of a jungle than a garden.
How do we keep our garden maintained when we are away for an extended amount of time then? What tips can we take advantage of to ensure that all that hard work is not wasted In this month’s blog we take a look at some key things you could do to keep that garden glorious and the lawn luscious when you are away.
Weed your garden before you go away
Weeds can be the bane of any garden. Once they get themselves embedded, it can often be hard to get rid of them completely. They steal vital water from other plants and begin to thrive quickly whilst your beautiful plants wither and die.
Before setting off on holiday, embark on a mini voyage of the garden and rid flower beds and any other areas of weeds. Tackling this mission before you go away will save an awful lot of heartache and work upon your return.
Get deadheading pre-holiday
Your garden is often an area of great colour and scents, but this can all be lost without a little preventative maintenance. Scout the garden for flower heads that appear to be dying or dead and remove them. This will help the flowers grow stronger and stop unnecessary debris from littering your garden. Should you have flowers that require a greater deal of care than normal, it can often be advised to remove the newer heads too so that the flower can conserve energy better whilst you are away.
Giving everything a trim before you fly
Lawns, hedges, rose bushes and more can all grow at a rapid rate, and should you not keep on top of it, a return from holiday could find you having to take on more than you bargained for. Cut them close where possible for the best possible outcome. Another alternative is to use a premium artificial lawn. With no need for cutting, watering or maintenance, you can leave for your holiday safe in the knowledge that there isn’t going to be anything other than a vibrant green lawn furnishing your garden.
Group potting plants together to help them thrive
If you have potted plants around the garden, you are probably a little aware of their vulnerabilities. To minimize this, place them all close together for the time you are away. The microclimate that they create through being so close reduced evaporation of the soil and water loss from the leaves. Then simply place them in a shady area but one that can be hit by rain. Water thoroughly before you depart and cover the soil with mulch.
Utilise your shady spots to protect flowers from heatwaves
Over recent years British summers have been perhaps a little hotter than you’d expect them to be. We often find sudden heat waves coursing through the country, and these can play havoc with your garden. Move hanging baskets, window boxes or containers into spots that enjoy less of a direct heat blast to help them through the warmer periods. Water well before you leave, and you should return to find them in great condition.
Ask a friend or family to help with the garden when you are away
Of course, following our tips above will go some way to ensuring your garden stays well whilst you are away. That doesn’t mean you can’t ask a favour from friends or family! Having someone checking on your home not only adds an element of security but can also help with any tasks that may need addressing. This can extend to some garden maintenance should they be happy to do it. Just remember to reward them with a nice gift from your travels!
Keeping your garden in its best condition can be a challenge when you are away but following the above can certainly help. Utilising the benefits of an Easigrass artificial lawn means that even when you are at home there is one less gardening job you need to get involved with. Easy to maintain, all year-round greenery, and safe for both pets and kids, an artificial lawn from The Sussex Artificial Grass Company gives you the garden you want.
As Sussex based landscape gardeners we can even help with walls, paving, fencing and design work. Our colleagues at The Southern Decking Company can also assist in creating the perfect deck to compliment your summer garden. Contact us to find out how.
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