Here's how to prepare your garden for the holiday

The most crucial factor for whether the plants can survive the holiday or not is access to water. This can be solved in several ways, partly by reducing the plants' need for water and partly by using smart irrigation systems. In addition, here are several other tips you can use if you want to come home to a garden in full bloom after the holiday.

Use the tips below to help your plants tolerate receiving less water while you are away.,Cover bare soil,Give your garden a thorough watering before you go on vacation, and then cover the bare soil with ground cover such as grass or bark - this way, the water won't evaporate as easily.,Place pots in the shade,Place outdoor pots against a house wall in the shade, and water well before you leave. Along the house wall, the plants will also be protected from too much rain, if that's the type of weather expected.,Indoor plants can also be moved outside if necessary, they should not be kept in hot windows. If you want to keep indoor plants inside, you should move them further into the room, while still getting natural light. You can also cover them with a plastic bag with holes to retain moisture better.,Repot,Some plants may benefit from being repotted into larger pots. More soil helps retain moisture better.,Prune,Herbs, roses, and early perennials can be pruned right before you go on vacation, so they require less water and can return to their full glory when you get back home.

Water the plants thoroughly and deeply before you leave. Plants in pots that require a lot of water can be fully immersed until bubbles stop appearing, giving them a proper refill just before you go. Pots can also be placed on trays filled with water. Set up an automatic watering system, such as a solar-powered system that waters when it's sunny - or create your own irrigation system. A simple option is to place pots on a moist Wettex cloth or a watering mat. Another option is to cut the bottom of a plastic bottle, push the spout into the soil, and fill it with water - the plant will absorb just the right amount of water it needs. For pots, you can also use so-called watering stakes, or a homemade version using yarn, where one end is placed in a container of water and the other in the pot.

In addition to reducing the need for water and providing smart irrigation solutions in your absence, you can also see if any of the following tips are suitable for you and your garden:Harvesting,It can be a bit frustrating to leave if the harvest you have been waiting for is suddenly right around the corner when you are about to leave, but in many cases, it is possible to harvest semi-ripe fruits, such as green tomatoes. The fruits can then ripen indoors.Grass,Many people mow the grass right before they leave, but this increases the risk of the lawn drying out if the weather is hot and there is little rain. Instead, mow it when you come back home. If it turns yellow anyway, it will quickly recover when it rains.Greenhouses and tunnels,Consider installing an automatic watering system, creating your own watering systems, or taking the plants out so they can access rainwater.Pots,Plastic pots often retain moisture well, but remember to have drainage holes at the bottom so that the plants do not drown when there is heavy rain. It is also possible to buy self-watering pots and balcony boxes.Slugs,If you have problems with slugs, it may be wise to try to control them before you leave. See our tips on how to get rid of brown slugs.Ask a neighbor,If you have friendly neighbors who are at home, you can of course ask them for help – if only to check that your irrigation systems do not stop working. Most people are happy to help, so do not be afraid to ask.