10 Tips to Make Your Vegetable Garden Vacation-Ready

Are you planning a vacation for the summer? Do you have a plan for your garden? Vacation planning doesn't have to be the colossal headache that everyone makes it out to be, at least for your vegetable garden.

No one knows how to care for my garden like me. My plants will die if I leave them.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Believe it or not, thoughts like these are common when you’re just starting out, and even if you’re a veteran vegetable gardener. We all have fears when we try new things.

But they’re definitely holding you back from getting out of dodge and relaxing.

I went on a cruise to Bimini for Memorial Day weekend (my first since the pandemic started). Before my cruise, things were hectic with packing, repair work being done on the house, and trying to get everything done for my business.

It didn’t help my stress level when my contractor smashed my fence of my vegetable garden the day before I left when the stone on the chimney went “timber.”

Foremost in my mind was keeping everything alive inside (cats, dog, fish) and outside of my house (vegetable garden beds and containers everywhere). 

Despite everything going on, I put some of my tips in place and I can’t wait to share it all with you. 

So take a deep breath and settle in to learn 10 simple ways to make your garden vacation-ready without having to stress while you are gone.

Yes, you can go on that vacation, and I’m going to show you how.

1. Make sure they are watered.

Make sure your plants get enough water before you go on vacation. Give them a good watering so the soil stays moist. If you can, use a drip irrigation system or self-watering containers to keep them hydrated while you're gone. 

In my garden, I have the Garden Grid Watering System from Garden in Minutes on my two square foot gardens that is on an automatic timer. In this Florida heat, it needs to be watered twice a day. If you are interested in using this system, click on the link and use code BR10 to get $10 off of a purchase of $100+.  I also have a bunch of self-watering containers with a large reservoir, as well some more shallow self-watering pots on my patio.

Pro Tip: You may benefit from a drip system with an automatic timer throughout the year to save time and effort. More consistent watering reduces stress on the plants which will reduce pests and diseases.

2. Add mulch.

Put a layer of natural mulch around your plants. Mulch keeps the soil moist and stops weeds from growing. It also cools down the soil when it's hot outside. Adding mulch will help your plants survive without regular watering.

Pro Tip: You can even place mulch on top of container plants.

3. Harvest ripe vegetables and fruits.

Before you go, pick any ripe vegetables or fruits from your garden. This stops them from rotting or attracting bugs while you're not there. Plus, picking encourages more growth, so you'll have more to harvest when you come back. 

I asked my neighbor to pick my almost ripe eggplants, but he didn't. Sadly, they were overripe by the time I picked them on Monday.

4. Clean up the garden 

Remove any dead or sick leaves and branches from your plants. This helps them grow better and lowers the chance of bugs and diseases when you're not around.

Pro Tip: You can also pinch suckers from indeterminate tomato plants. It allows the plants to be stronger and reduces insects and diseases. 

5. Remove weeds.

Take out any weeds in your garden before you go. Weeds fight with your veggies for food and water, which can hurt them. Mulching also helps stop weeds from growing while you're gone. It's surprising how fast weeds can pop up!

6. Manage those pests.

Check your plants for any pests or diseases. If you see any problems, deal with them before you go. You can use natural methods like neem oil or bring in helpful insects like ladybugs to control pests. 

When you get back, check your plants again for pests and diseases. When I returned, I found some squash bugs on my cucumbers, but there were only a few, so I got rid of them by putting them in soapy water, so hopefully I prevented a major infestation. 

7. Shade delicate plants.

If it's going to be really hot or sunny while you're away, think about covering fragile plants with shade cloth or light covers. This keeps them safe from too much sun and stops water from evaporating too quickly.

This is especially true for lettuces. Lettuces wilt quickly in the hot sun and often need an extra watering in the afternoon, so either placing them in partial shade (if in containers) or placing a shade cloth over them can help. If you have garden beds, you can place PVC hoops down the length of the bed to attach the cloth.

8. Enlist help.

If you can, get someone you trust like a friend, neighbor, or family member to look after your garden now and then. They can water your plants if needed, pick ripe veggies, and handle any urgent problems. 

I taught my brother-in-law what to do, and luckily, nothing died while I was away. Since my brother-in-law is not a gardener and quite forgetful, I wrote him a list of what to do on the refrigerator.

9. Be selective on the crops.

Think about growing veggies with a longer harvesting window or types that can handle changes in watering. This gives you a higher chance of coming back to lots of delicious produce.

Tomatoes that are indeterminate varieties continue to produce fruit throughout the growing season, allowing for a longer harvest. Although when producing, they need a lot of water. Other crops that produce fruit throughout the season include pole beans, peppers, cucumbers (burpless varieties), eggplant, zucchini, and okra. 

The following vegetables can handle changes in watering: Swiss chard, kale, radishes, mustard greens, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and green beans.

10. Enjoy your vacation!

Finally, take a deep breath and enjoy your vacation! Trust that you've done what's needed to keep your garden healthy. Hopefully, when you come back, your plants will be strong and full of yummy veggies.

There you have it! 

Did you find these tips helpful? Share your top tip to stay motivated on the path to vegetable gardening in the comments below!

If you still need guidance, get in touch here. There are no silly questions, and I am always happy to hear from fellow gardeners. 

For more on vegetable garden maintenance, including how to manage pests and proper watering, check out the posts below:

• 8 Organic Pesticides for an Environmentally-Friendly Garden
• Beginner’s Guide to Watering your Home Vegetable Garden
• 10 Tips for Growing Tasty Tomatoes
• How to Control Cutworms in the Garden

And finally, I created a checklist that you can refer to before your trip since you have enough to think about when packing. 

This post contains affiliate links, clicking on them with not cost you anything extra, but does allow Rescue My Plant to make a small commission on your purchase.

Click here to download Vacation-Ready Vegetable Garden Checklist now >>