Gardening Hack for Holidaymakers: Keep Your Flowers Watered While Away.
As summer brings warmer weather, many holidaymakers are looking for ways to keep their flowers hydrated during their trips. With temperatures expected to reach 30°C this week, gardening expert Joseph Clark has shared a practical solution for those concerned about their plants.
Using the Instagram handle @joesgarden.official, Clark advises that while asking a friend or family member to care for your plants is ideal, it’s not always possible. His method offers a creative way to water plants for up to five days.
Clark’s technique involves using a regular water bottle. He recommends puncturing the bottle with a heated fork at both ends and inserting cotton swabs into the holes. This allows water to drip out slowly. “This will only work for about four to five days, depending on the flow rate, weather, and size of the bottle, but it’s better than nothing,” he said.
He also emphasizes that drip irrigation is a common method used by farmers and garden stores worldwide, as it effectively targets the watering of plants. Clark suggests keeping the flow at its slowest setting to prevent water from draining too quickly. Additionally, he advises ensuring that pots have drainage holes to avoid overwatering.
In a video explaining the process, Clark highlights the importance of keeping gardens and houseplants watered, especially during holiday season. He instructs viewers to gather bottles of various sizes and heat a metal fork to poke small holes in the bottom and cap of each bottle. He suggests cutting cotton swabs in half, placing one half in the cap and the other in the bottom.
“Fill each bottle with water, and after a few minutes, you will see small droplets forming from the bottom swabs. If you remove the swab or cap from the top, it will release pressure and increase the water flow,” he explains. After preparing the bottles, he places them around the plants to ensure they receive adequate moisture while he is away.