How To Use Drip Irrigation To Care For Planter Plants While You're Away

Preparing to leave your home can be a bit intense. From the essential kitchen sink precaution you should take before going on vacation to basic cleaning and packing, there is a lot to do. If you are a plant owner, you also need to decide what to do with your container plants so that you do not come home to dead or dying plants that you have lovingly cared for. You may give a neighbor or friend a house key or drop the plants off with them, but they may not always be available or reliable. Luckily, there is another solution that may be worth a try. Depending on your plants and the length of time you will be away, setting up a drip irrigation system for your container plants might be a viable option.

Drip irrigation is a method of watering plants that involves directing the water straight into the soil. Drip irrigation systems also keep the soil at a consistent moisture level over time, and the style of watering results in less evaporation and runoff, meaning that more water is conserved and the system can work with minimal maintenance for longer. This means that these systems, with a large enough water reservoir, can sustain your plants even while you are not there for a period of time. If you are interested in trying out a drip irrigation system for your plants, you can opt for a store-bought option, a simple watering globe, or a DIY creation.

Among the store-bought options, there are many varieties, ranging in technicality. On the more complex side, there are kits that connect to a water source and use timers and tubes to precisely distribute water from a container to your plants. They can even come with apps to control the settings and be surprisingly affordable. There are also less complicated self-watering systems, such as watering globes or planters. For the globes, all you need to do is fill the bulb with water and insert it in the soil. Both of these items can also be very affordable but increase in price if you want more ornamental options. 

As for DIY waterers, pretty much any set-up involving a makeshift water reservoir and a path to the plant's soil will do. One very straightforward option involves spending no money and repurposing what might have otherwise been trash. All you need to do is take an old plastic bottle and poke a small hole in the cap. Then, you fill the bottle with water and insert the cap end into well-watered soil. The bottle should act like a watering globe, keeping your plant hydrated. You can even use a wine bottle as a watering system. The amount of time it will last depends on your specific plant, and you will need to consider your situation before choosing a method.

When trying to choose a type of drip irrigation, there are a few factors to consider, including the length of time you will be away, your budget, and the plants you are watering. While they are the most expensive, drip irrigation kits are often able to hook up to larger water reservoirs or even water sources, meaning that they can sustain your plants for longer. With timers and app settings, you also have more control over your plants' care while you are away. This is also a good option if you have succulents or other plants that can benefit from the soil drying out between waterings because it allows you to control the watering process far more than other methods.

Watering globes and DIY options typically have more limited water supplies, which makes them ideal for situations in which you know how long you will be away. Watering globes are good for plants that need to be watered constantly because they keep the soil consistently moist. The length of time they will wet the soil depends on the container size, angle of the globe, temperature, and more, but they can last up to a couple of weeks. DIY options and self-watering planters will be roughly the same, but if they hold more water, they will be able to provide moisture longer. Before you go away on your trip, it is a good idea to test your watering device of choice to see how long it will keep your specific plant's soil hydrated and make adjustments as needed.