Mario Bautista
During the summer many people are on holiday or simply wish to spend more time out in the warm weather, but it means keeping a garden maintained can be tricky.
The hot temperatures at this time of year mean that plants require extra care, and not watering them enough can stunt their growth, damage their roots or even kill them outright.
Joshua Houston, a gardening expert from Household Quotes, said: “Plants require water, and if you’re away for several days then this could cause them to die. They might’ve already taken a lot of time and money to get to the stage they are at, so losing them could damage your wallet even more.”
However, you do not need to spend more time in your garden this summer as all you need is an old plastic water bottle, which can keep a garden hydrated for several days.
How to keep garden plants healthy using a water bottle
Josh explained: “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 around 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.”
It is highly effective to save old plastic bottles to water your garden as it creates a slow drip system which delivers water directly to the roots so there is no chance of it evaporating, even during hot temperatures.
This simple method will greatly reduce the chance of heat stress affecting plants, so will also help promote healthier growth as well as better flower or crop production.
Josh said: “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.”
Once you have set the water bottles up you will never need to worry about watering plants daily again, helping you save time and effort as a gardener.
How to keep houseplants healthy using a bathtub
If you have any houseplants that will need watering this summer while you are busy then Josh has suggested that your bathtub can be used to keep them hydrated.
Josh said: “It might sound strange that your bath can be used to water your plants but hear me out.
“Fill your bath with around one centimetre to two centimetres 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.”
Using the bathtub or sink will create a reservoir that allows plants to absorb as much water as needed to help them keep as healthy as possible without needing constant care.
