HOW TO KEEP YOUR GARDEN ALIVE WHILE TRAVELING

Getting your home and garden ready for vacation can be stressful. But it doesn't have to be!

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With proper planning, you can keep your outdoor plants and houseplants alive when you're gone for days or weeks at a time.

Here are my top tips for taking care of your garden before—and while—you’re traveling.

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Assess the needs of your garden and houseplants.

01. Make a list of what’s most crucial to care for. Account for your vegetable beds as well as your houseplants, and your lawn as well as your landscaping. Learn more

Ask a friend or neighbor to take care of your yard or houseplants.

02. Most people really do not mind taking care of your garden, especially if you ply them with fresh vegetables or offer to return the favor if they have gardens of their own. Learn more

Check the weather and plan accordingly.

03. If you anticipate days of hot (or rainy) weather ahead, make sure you adjust your watering schedule appropriately. Learn more

Give your garden a tune-up before you go.

04. Anticipate how much your plants will grow while you’re gone and set up stakes, trellises, or cages to support them. Learn more

Pick, pick, pick.

05. Even if you’ve set up your entire garden to be watered automatically, you should still arrange for someone to stop by and harvest vegetables to keep your plants productive. Learn more