Episode: #14 23/12/06
Presenter: Kim Syrus

If you are planning on going away these holidays, then it is also a good idea to get your garden ready for the break as well. Coming home to find sick and sorry plants is no fun at all.

So, Kim takes a look at what you need to do to keep your yard alive and growing, while you are away.

Start by putting plenty of mulch around the garden. There are lots of different types to choose from. Spread it around to about 10cm thick. This is ideal to keep your soil cool, moist and, importantly, reduce the need to water.

Add some water saving crystals to any existing pots by making a hole with a stick and dropping a few down. These will supply the roots with moisture even if the pot does dry out a little.

If you have an automatic irrigation system, then watering your garden will be very simple. However, if you don?t have one, then it is a good idea to ask a friend or neighbour to help out but first, you will need set your garden up to make the watering easy.

Timer taps are a must. All anyone has to do then is dial in the time and go. These will shut off automatically.

Move as many of your potted plants and hanging baskets together into a shaded area to create a nice humid environment around the leaves, protecting each plant and also making it really easy for a friend to water.

Indoor plants need regular watering so, if you can?t find someone to help out, then gather them all up and head for the bathroom.

Place a few old towels in the bath then sit your plants on these, keeping them nice and close. Now, fill the bath with about 3 cm of water. The plants will slowly take this up through the bottom of the pots. If you are going to be away for a couple of weeks or more, then put some cling wrap over about 80 percent of the bath to reduce evaporation and create a nice humid environment.

Before you go away, fertilize the lawn with Yates Lush Lawn Master and give it a good deep soak so it only needs watering in a week?s time. Any lush new growth will shade and cool the lawn roots keeping your piece of turf happy and healthy.

It is also good ideas to leave your garden tidy so sweep up any leaves, cut the lawn, and lock up any garden equipment like spades, rakes and chemicals.

That is just a few jobs to do before going on holidays that will make a big difference to your garden. Now, you can head off for a well earned rest knowing that your piece of paradise will be waiting for you when you get back.

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