6 Tips to Help Your Plants Survive Your Vacation — Seattle’s Favorite Garden Store Since 1924 – Swansons Nursery

Tip #5: Do a little plant-sitter training

We all know plants need regular water but did you know that when and how you water can make the difference between a healthy plant and a sad (or even dead) plant? Well of course YOU did, but your chosen plant sitter may not.

Our General Manager, Liane, suggests inviting your plant sitter to come over ahead of time for a tour of the garden/house so you can show them where your supplies are kept and what needs to be watered. Depending on your relationship, you could mention that the best times to water are early morning or later in the evening rather than midday. You could also demonstrate the watering techniques you learned from your friendly Swansons’ expert, whether simply connecting the hose to a drip system and setting a timer or hand watering a pot slowly until water runs out of the bottom and the pot feels heavier. You don’t want to be pedantic or overly demanding, of course, but you do want them to feel comfortable and confident. It can’t hurt to pay your plant-sitter well and/or bring them back treats from your trip!

Tip #6: Prepare and share

If you have the time before your vacation, a little planning and preparation can make a big difference. We recommend looking at the 10-day weather forecast to be aware of any predicted hot spells or storms. Dan advises doing a bit of trimming, deadheading, and slug baiting if you can, so your garden is in top shape before you leave.

Yours truly, as a veteran grower of vegetables and fruit, has a “prepare and share” tip for you: harvest what you can before you leave and eat it, store it, and/or share it with friends, neighbors, and most definitely with the person coming by to check on your plants. If you don’t have time or you’re growing a crop that needs to be harvested quite often, make the offer that whoever wants to come harvest while you’re away can enjoy the spoils. No one I know is turning down home-grown tomatoes anytime soon (zucchini… that might be another matter).