How to Successfully Prepare Your Garden for Vacation

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We’re about to head off on an epic RV adventure—this time along the I-10, with stops at places like Sequoia National Park, Yosemite, and South Lake Tahoe. Before we leave for a couple of months, I need to make sure my garden is well-prepared to thrive in my absence. Leaving your garden behind can be stressful, but with a bit of planning, your plants can stay happy and healthy while you’re away.

Lessons Learned from Last Year

Last year, I made a big mistake: I direct-seeded my garden right before we left. I thought it would be fine, but when I got back, most of the seeds didn’t even sprout, and those that did barely survived. This year, I’m doing things differently. Instead of direct seeding, I’m transplanting nearly everything—yes, even crops I usually wouldn’t, like melons and cucumbers. This gives the plants time to get established and grow strong before I leave, so they’ll be in a much better position to thrive on their own.

Fertilizing for the Long Haul

A key part to prepare your garden for vacation is making sure your plants are well-fed. This is where granular fertilizer comes in handy. Unlike liquid fertilizer, which gives plants an immediate nutrient boost but doesn’t last long, granular fertilizer releases nutrients slowly over time, making it ideal for longer periods away. By working it into the soil when you transplant or before you leave, your plants will have a steady supply of nutrients for weeks or even months.

Granular fertilizers can be mixed into the top few inches of soil around each plant. Look for a balanced blend (like a 10-10-10 or 5-5-5) to ensure they’re getting what they need to sustain themselves. Another great option is compost. If you have well-aged compost, work that into your soil before you go. It’s a slow-release nutrient source that keeps your plants healthy without the need for synthetic fertilizers.

While liquid fertilizers can be great for quick boosts of nutrients, they require more frequent applications. If you won’t be around to tend to your garden regularly, stick to slow-release granular options or compost to keep your plants nourished.

Staying on Schedule: Prepare Your Garden for Vacation

One of the trickiest parts to prepare your garden for vacation is making sure your planting schedule lines up with your departure and return. You don’t want your garden to be ready to harvest while you’re away, but you also don’t want to miss your planting window.

Here’s what I do to stay on track:

1. Start Seeds Early: Start your seeds indoors or in trays a few weeks before your trip. This gives you control over their growth and lets you transplant them into the garden at the right time.
2. Transplant Before You Leave: Aim to transplant your seedlings at least two weeks before you depart. This gives them time to settle in and grow strong roots. By doing this, they won’t be ready for harvest until after you return.
3. Check Your Planting Calendar: Use an app like Seedtime (which I swear by) to keep track of the optimal planting and transplanting times for each crop. You can also create a task list to remind you when to start seeds or transplant. Make sure you’re working with plants that fit within the timeline of your trip—shorter-season crops might need to wait until after you return.

By planning carefully, you’ll ensure that your plants are still in the growing stage when you return, so you won’t miss out on harvesting all your hard work.

Setting Up Watering Systems to Prepare Your Garden for Vacation

Watering is one of the biggest concerns to prepare your garden for vacation. Luckily, there are several options to make sure your plants stay hydrated:

1. Sprinklers on a Timer: One of the easiest solutions is to set up sprinklers connected to a timer. This way, your garden will be watered automatically at regular intervals. You can adjust the timing based on your plants’ needs and the weather forecast. Be sure to test the system before you leave to ensure it’s working properly.
2. Soaker Hoses with a Timer: If you prefer a more water-efficient option, consider soaker hoses. They deliver water directly to the soil, minimizing evaporation. Set them up on a timer to run for 15-30 minutes in the early morning or late evening to reduce water loss.
3. Wine Bottles or Terracotta Spikes: For a simple DIY solution, you can recycle wine bottles by filling them with water and placing them upside down into the soil near your plants. This slow-release method will keep your plants hydrated for several days. You can also buy terracotta spikes, or “Blumat” systems, which work similarly by slowly releasing water directly to the roots.
4. Ollas Pots: These are unglazed clay pots that you bury in the soil and fill with water. The water slowly seeps out through the porous clay, keeping the surrounding soil moist. Ollas are fantastic for dry climates and can reduce your need for frequent watering.

Make sure to set everything up well before you leave, so you have time to troubleshoot any issues.

Pest Management: Keeping Bugs at Bay

One of the major challenges when you’re away is pest control. I highly recommend using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) rather than relying on chemical pesticides, which can harm beneficial insects and disrupt the ecosystem of your garden.

Here’s how IPM can work for you:

• Encourage Beneficial Insects: Attract ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory beetles to your garden by planting flowers like marigolds, nasturtiums, and alyssum. These natural predators will help control aphids, mites, and other pests while you’re away.
• Physical Barriers: Consider using row covers or netting to protect your crops from pests. These can be especially useful for keeping out larger critters like birds, rabbits, or caterpillars without restricting airflow or sunlight.
• Organic Sprays: If you do need to use a spray, stick to organic options like insecticidal soap or Spinosad, which are less harmful to beneficial insects. Apply them before you leave and follow up when you return if necessary.

With IPM, you’re using a balanced approach to keep your garden healthy without resorting to harsh chemicals.

Dealing with Setbacks

Let’s face it—gardening doesn’t always go as planned. I’ve had my fair share of setbacks, from broken branches on my Roselle plants to failed germinations. But I’ve learned to focus on the positives. Even if things don’t go perfectly, every season is a learning experience.

For example, this year, I didn’t have the best luck with my peanuts. Some didn’t mature fully, and I think I pulled a few plants too soon. However, I was able to save enough seeds for next year, and that’s a win in my book. Sometimes, the best way to handle setbacks is to learn from them and prepare for better results next time.

If you experience issues like pests, bad weather, or unexpected plant failures, don’t get discouraged. Use it as an opportunity to adjust your approach next season. Gardening is about resilience and adaptation—there’s always next year!

Final Thoughts

With everything set up—transplanted seedlings, slow-release fertilizers, watering systems, and a pest management plan—I feel confident that my garden will thrive while I’m away. If you’re planning a vacation, remember to prepare your garden for vacation well in advance. Transplant your seedlings early, feed them with slow-release fertilizers or compost, set up a reliable watering system, and take steps to manage pests naturally.

Leaving your garden doesn’t have to be stressful—with the right prep, you can relax knowing your plants will be just fine until you return. Happy gardening, and safe travels!