I'm the Which? Gardening Editor – this is how I keep plants alive when I'm away

Heading off on holiday should be a chance to switch off, but if you’re a keen gardener, you might still find yourself wondering how your plants are coping back home. A few hot, dry days can be enough for pots to dry out and plants to start wilting.

As the editor of Which? Gardening, I’ve learnt that you don’t necessarily need someone to water the entire garden while you’re away. I concentrate on the plants that need it most, then use a few simple tricks and watering systems to keep them going.

Whether you’re away for a long weekend or a couple of weeks, a little preparation goes a long way. Here’s what I do before a holiday to keep my plants watered while I’m away.

1. I focus my efforts where they count

The whole garden doesn’t need watering while I’m away. The lawn and established shrubs and perennials will cope fine without me. Instead, I make sure I keep more vulnerable plants watered. 

Patio pots and hanging baskets are top of my list, as the compost can dry out quickly. Small pots are particularly vulnerable in hot weather because there’s less compost to hold moisture.

I also prioritise fruiting and greenhouse veg, along with anything I’ve planted in the past few months. New plants are still establishing their roots, so they’re less able to reach moisture deeper in the soil.

Before I go away, I check the forecast too. Cool or wet weather takes some of the pressure off, but if several hot, sunny days are on the way, I know pots and newly planted plants will need more attention.

More on this: Heatwave SOS: which plants you must water and which you shouldn't.

2. I keep it simple

For a short break, such as a long weekend, move patio pots and baskets into a shady spot so they don’t dry out as quickly. I group pots together too, then give them a thorough soak before I leave.

You can stand pots in saucers of water to give them a little extra moisture, but don’t leave them sitting in water for long periods, as this can cause the roots to rot.

Check for pots in easy-to-miss places too, such as by the front door or down the side of the house. It’s surprisingly easy to forget one when you’re getting ready to go away.

For a short trip, you probably won’t need to buy any special watering kit. If you’re away for longer, it’s worth setting up something that can keep your plants watered while you’re gone.

If you need to give your plants a good soak before you go, see our recommended watering cans:

You can join Which? to see our guide to the best watering cans.

3. I choose watering gadgets carefully

When we trialled gadgets for keeping pots watered, the Autopot Easy2go Watering Kit and Big Drippa Watering System both worked well. They use a reservoir to keep plants watered, although you’ll need to provide your own tank for the Autopot. They’re worth considering if you have several pots to look after but don’t want to install a full irrigation system.

Neither system can be used with hanging baskets at height. Instead, bring baskets down and place them in a bucket to hold them upright before using the Big Drippa. Whichever system you choose, set it up a few days before you leave so you can check that every plant is getting enough water.

Other watering gadgets were less impressive. We found spikes that attach to drinks bottles difficult to use and ineffective. Some bottles collapsed, while others emptied too quickly.

Whatever you use, give it a trial run before your holiday. You’ll want to know how long the water lasts and whether the compost stays moist before you leave it to look after your plants

4. I use an irrigation system

If you regularly go away during the summer, an automatic irrigation system can take much of the worry out of keeping your plants watered. It’s particularly useful if you have lots of pots, a greenhouse or plants that need frequent watering.

The systems we’ve had the most success with connect to an outdoor tap, although you can also buy ones that use water from a water butt, provided there’s enough water to last while you’re away.

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to individual plants, rather than soaking a larger area. You can also adjust how much water each plant gets, so thirstier plants get more.

We’ve found battery-powered water timers more reliable than solar-powered models. An irrigation system controlled by a water timer can also be used during a hosepipe ban, although you should check the restrictions imposed by your water company. Set everything up well before you go away so you have time to check for leaks and make sure every plant is getting enough water.

Of the irrigation systems we've tested, these are among the best:

You can join Which? to see our guide to the best garden irrigation systems.

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