It can be tricky to keep your garden in tip-top shape when you are heading away over summer, so we have put together some tips to help!
Water
Keeping plants well watered is a big challenge over the summer months, especially when you are going away.
- To make your watering efforts more efficient and reduce water use by up to 50% with Debco SaturAid granular soil wetting agent. This holds water in the soil and distributes it evenly and directly to the root zone. Apply SaturAid to all areas of your garden including indoor and outdoor pot plants, shrubs, garden beds and lawns.
- If you're away for more than a few days ask a friendly neighbour to water the garden in exchange for some homegrown produce!
Mulch
Mulching will assist keeping roots moist and conserving moisture. Use Tui Pea Straw Mulch, a natural mulch made of 100% pea straw, or Tui Mulch & Feed, a two-in-one combination that provides the benefits of mulching and the healthy additions of blood and bone, mulching straw and sheep pellets.
Protect
Bugs will be out and about again over the summer months.
- Check your crops for signs of pests and diseases which could ruin your carefully tended plants while you are away! If you see any sign of insect pests, first try blasting infestations off with the hose, or use warm soapy water. If this doesn't work, check at your local garden centre for a suitable spray.
- Lay Tui Quash slug and snail control to stop slugs and snails from munching on your seedlings and plants.
Nourish
It is important to replenish nutrients for plentiful harvests over the summer, and to extend the growing season!
- Tui Enrich controlled release fertilisers are a wonderful 'feed and forget' option - perfect if you are going away for a long period of time. They feed your plants as they require it, for up to six months.
- Give plants an application of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic at least every month to make them thrive and help them cope with temperature fluctuation.
Take your garden on holiday with you! Create a salad garden box for fresh salad greens and herbs at your fingertips while you’re at the bach or campground.
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Top Holiday Garden Tips Comments
Cats are a big problem around my roses they do not cover their poop, any suggestions?
Cheryl
Each time a juice my lemons or grapefruit, I throw the leftover fruit into the garden to keep the cats away - and it works as I am so frustrated with having to pick up the poop of these animals! Some people I know just dig it into the soil. I refuse to do that as diseases can be contracted from it.
Margaret
Love your hints and comments
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, that's great to hear thanks for your feedback :) - Tui Team
jenna
Hi Cheryl, check out our answer here for some hints: http://www.tuigarden.co.nz/news/how-can-i-deter-cats-my-garden - Tui Team
jenna
I TOO HAD PROBLEMS WITH CATS MAKING MY SECTION A HIGHWAY - AND STOPPING FOR A COMFORT STOP ON THE WAY. SO i BOUGHT A FEW DOLLARS WORTH OF THE HOTTEST POWDERED SPICE i COULD FIND AND SPREAD IT IN PATCHES ESPECIALLY ON THE SAWDUST PATHS. wORKED A TREAT UNTIL THE RAIN WASHED IT IN. BUT IT IS CHEAP AND EASY TO REPLACE.
Joy
Hi Cheryl I too had real problems with cats so forked out and bought 2 cat repellers which work a treat. Cost $60 each but worth every cent.
Sandy
Hi Cheryl I also had an awful cat problem so bought 2 solar powered cat repellers which work well. Cost $60 each but worth every cent.
Sandy
Take a 2 litre empty juice bottle and half fill it with water and add a small drop of bleach to prevent algae growth. Seal it and lay it on it's side next to the area contaminated by cats. They will see their reflection in the bottle and give the area a wide berth.
Mac Mackay
I purchased a bag of kebab sticks from the supermarket, which individually I have pushed into the soil intermittently and off set. Starting at the rear of the garden, right to the front edge. Now they leave their calling card on the lawn, not ideal, but better than in my garden. A very cheap option which works. Jill Waikato
Jill Susan Robinson
I use the long pruning’s off my roses and criss-cross them on top of the soil where cats are a problem, this works a treat and is free.
Pauline Failes