WE’RE well into the holiday season, and millions of people across the nation will be travelling away from home for a vacation.
Everyone loves a holiday but it can leave plant lovers a little apprehensive as the last thing you want is to return to a dead plot.
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Gardens take a lot of time and money to get to the stage they are at, so losing them could damage your wallet even more.
Don’t worry though, at Household Quotes we are here to help. Our Gardening Expert, Joshua Houston has revealed five ways to ensure your plants are watered whilst you are away.
Leaking bottle
This is a budget way to ensure your plants are watered whilst you are away, take a plastic bottle and make little holes all the way round the bottom third.
Then dig a hole near the roots of the plant for the bottle to be placed. Fill up your bottle and put it in the hole you have dug, before securing it with soil.
Water will be released slowly when the plant requires it, giving multiple days of water for when you are away. It’s also a great way to reuse plastic bottles and ensure that they aren’t just single-use.
Use your bath
It might sound strange that your bath can be used to water your plants but hear me out.
Fill your bath with around 1cm to 2cm of water, before placing plants inside it.
Make sure the plant pots have holes in the bottom so that the water can reach them. If your bath doesn’t get any sunlight then your kitchen sink might be the best option.
You can also lay the plants on a towel so that the surfaces of your bath and sink aren’t damaged over the period you are away.
Move some plants outside
This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised at the amount of people who forget when they’re in a rush that they can move their plants outside.
Take a look at the weather forecast in your area, and if there’s rain scheduled then make sure to put the plants in an outside area with plenty of access to the sun.
Of course, rain isn’t guaranteed, so this tip won’t be for everyone and even the forecast can’t always be relied on.
Automatic watering kits
An automatic watering kit allows you to lay drippers and pipes around your garden for water to be distributed.
This can be done by leaving the tap on slightly, or by having a timer which releases water every so often.
This is the best and most efficient way to ensure that your plants are watered whilst you’re away.
However, it is a more expensive method. These kits can cost well over £50 depending on the size and quality that you want.
Gardening mistakes that could get you fined
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
Joshua Houston, Gardening Expert at Household Quotes:
‘’Going on holiday is one of the highlights of the year, but for keen gardeners, it can be worrying. Give yourself the peace of mind to relax by following the five tips I’ve revealed above.
“I understand that everyone’s budget is different, so I’ve tried to include methods that are affordable and available to all.’’
