Going Away This Summer? Here's How to Keep Your Garden Happy While You're Gone

Water wise gardening and products to support, meter, drip system, mulch, plant pal

Going Away This Summer? Here's How to Keep Your Garden Happy While You're Gone

Whether you're escaping to Lake Tahoe for the weekend, spending a few days on the coast, or simply trying to keep up with the Bay Area's warmer summer weather, leaving your garden behind can be stressful. Container gardens dry out quickly, hanging baskets seem to wilt overnight, and tomatoes always seem to need attention the minute you leave.

The good news? With a little planning, you can enjoy your vacation knowing your plants have what they need until you return.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to make watering easier—and give you a little peace of mind.

1. Water Deeply Before You Leave

Rather than giving plants a quick sprinkle, water slowly and thoroughly so moisture reaches the entire root zone. Deep watering encourages stronger root systems and helps plants withstand hot afternoons much better than frequent shallow watering.

2. Add Mulch Wherever You Cangrevillea plant with mulch around

One of the simplest things you can do is spread two to three inches of mulch around your vegetables, shrubs, and landscape plants.

Mulch helps:

  • Slow moisture evaporation
  • Keep soil temperatures cooler
  • Reduce watering frequency
  • Suppress weeds that compete for water

If you haven't mulched yet, mid-summer is still a great time to do it.

3. Move Containers Into Afternoon ShadeContainer Gardens in full sun on the left and then on right showing how moving them to shade will protect.

If you're going to be away for several days, give your containers a break from the hottest part of the day.

Move patio pots, hanging baskets, and smaller planters where they'll receive morning sun but protection from the hot afternoon sun. Even relocating them under a patio cover, shade tree, or covered porch can dramatically reduce how quickly they dry out.

4. Make Watering More EfficientEcoFlo 50ft. Soaker Hose

Soaker Hoses

A soaker hose slowly releases water directly into the soil where roots need it most. Look for one that:

  • Delivers water evenly along its length
  • Is flexible enough to weave through vegetable beds
  • Connects easily to your outdoor faucet

Because water is delivered at soil level, less is lost to evaporation than with overhead watering.

Drip Irrigation KitsA pot with a plant being watered by a drip system.

Today's drip irrigation kits are surprisingly simple to install—even for container gardens. Many starter kits can water several pots or an entire raised bed with very little setup and can easily be expanded as your garden grows.

5. Let a Water Timer Do the Work

A simple hose timer can be one of the best investments for summer gardening.

Attach it to your faucet, set the days and duration you'd like your garden watered, and let it handle the schedule while you're away. Pair it with a soaker hose or drip irrigation system for an easy "set it and leave it" solution.

6. Use the Right Potting SoilSummerWinds nursery high performance organic potting soil in garden center

Healthy soil doesn't just feed your plants—it also helps manage moisture.

Our SummerWinds High Performance Organic Potting Soil is formulated with pumice and other premium ingredients that help retain moisture while still allowing excess water to drain away. That means your containers stay evenly moist longer instead of cycling between soaking wet and bone dry.

It's especially helpful for:

  • Patio containers
  • Hanging baskets
  • Vegetable planters
  • Raised beds

7. Check Before You WaterCheck the moisture in your plants with a moisture meter.

One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make during summer is watering by habit instead of by need.

A SummerWinds Moisture Meter removes the guesswork. Simply insert the probe a few inches into the soil to see whether your plants actually need water.

It's especially helpful for:

  • Large containers
  • Houseplants
  • Raised beds
  • Plants growing in partial shade

Sometimes what looks like a thirsty plant is actually sitting in damp soil.

8. Help Houseplants Take Care of ThemselvesA closeup of a clear glass Syndicate Never Dry Plant Pal in a houseplant.

If you'll be gone for several days, self-watering devices such as watering globes or plant watering stakes can help keep houseplants evenly moist between waterings.

They're inexpensive, easy to use, and especially helpful for smaller pots that tend to dry out quickly.

9. Give Your Garden One Last Walk Before You Leave

Before heading out of town, spend five minutes walking through your garden.

Take a look for:

  • Containers that dry out faster than others
  • Plants showing signs of stress
  • Drip emitters that may have become clogged
  • Hoses with leaks or kinks
  • Tomatoes or vegetables ready to harvest

A quick harvest before you leave also encourages many vegetables to continue producing while you're away.

Enjoy Your Time AwayBeautiful garden and patio where they have a drip system and drip kits set up to water garden.

Summer should be spent making memories—not worrying about whether your tomatoes survived the weekend.

With a few simple adjustments, you can conserve water, keep your plants healthier through the hottest weeks of summer, and come home to a garden that's ready to welcome you back.

Need help deciding which watering solution is right for your garden? Stop by your neighborhood SummerWinds Nursery. We'd be happy to help you choose the best option for your landscape, containers, or vegetable garden.

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