Before a vacation, people often think about their passport, charger, and refrigerator. Balcony plants are sometimes only considered when the suitcase is already in the hallway. Especially in summer, this can be too late: pots and boxes dry out much faster than garden beds, especially on sunny, windy balconies.
The good news: You can prepare a lot for a few days. The key is not a single trick, but the combination of thorough watering, reduced evaporation, sufficiently large water reserves, and a quick test before you actually leave.
One to two days before: Check the location
Move sensitive pots, herbs, and balcony flowers out of the blazing midday sun if possible. A bright spot in partial shade is often better for the vacation period than the most beautiful display spot right on the railing. Plants that are placed close together shade each other slightly and evaporate less water.
For flower boxes on very hot railings, a quick reality check is worth it: If the soil becomes dry and hot by the morning, the box will need help from outside, a water reservoir, or a shadier spot for several days.
Water thoroughly on the morning of departure
Do not just water the surface before you leave. The water should reach the root zone. Therefore, a thorough watering in the early morning, when the soil and plants have not yet heated up, is better. Apply water directly to the soil, not over leaves and flowers. This saves evaporation and lowers the risk of fungal problems.
If possible, use stale water or rainwater. After watering, excess water should be able to drain. Permanently standing water in the planter is just as problematic for many plants as dryness.
Slow down evaporation
- Mulching: A thin layer of suitable mulch material protects the soil surface from drying out quickly.
- Loosen the soil: If the plant can tolerate it, carefully loosen the surface. This helps to absorb water better.
- Slow down flowers and vigorous growth: Remove faded flowers. Do not fertilize heavily before departure, because vigorous growth requires more water.
- Bundle small pots: Small containers dry out particularly quickly. They are better off grouped together and protected as much as possible.
Test water reservoirs, don't just use them on the day of departure
Clay cones, water reservoir bottles, boxes with reservoirs, or simple irrigation systems can help during short absences. However, it is important to test the system a few days beforehand. Some release water too quickly, others do not sit tightly enough in the soil, or do not match the plant's water requirements.
For individual pots, clay cones or water reservoirs can be a useful solution. For very thirsty balcony boxes, however, small reserves are often not enough. Here, help from neighbors is usually more reliable.
Instruct neighbors correctly
If someone is watering, keep it simple: group the pots together, provide a full watering can, and write a short list. Instead of "water as needed," it is better to say: "Check these three boxes every morning, water these herbs only when the soil is dry, check saucers after heavy rain."
A small thank-you with benefits is also practical: ripe herbs, tomatoes, or berries may be harvested. Then the helping person often takes a closer look.
What is important during thunderstorms and heavy rain
Vacation preparation does not just mean dryness. Balcony plants should also be safe during thunderstorms. Loose planters, light boxes, saucers, and decorations should be placed so that the wind does not shift them or tip them over the railing. After heavy rain, no water should remain permanently in planters.
Realistic rule of thumb
A weekend can often be bridged well with thorough watering, shade, and a water reservoir. For a week of summer vacation, balcony plants should not be left alone if they are in small pots, in full sun, or in a windy spot. The smaller the container and the hotter the location, the shorter any storage solution will last.
Anyone who tests how long the soil actually stays moist before the vacation will leave much more relaxed. The test is simple: water once as planned, adjust the location, insert the water reservoir, and check after 24 and 48 hours. After that, you will know if help from neighbors is necessary.
Read also
- Watering flowers while on vacation
- Saving balcony plants in the heat: watering correctly and saving water
- Gardening in the heat: watering, mulching, and planning breaks
- Vacation check for the apartment before departure
- Thunderstorms at home: Which plugs should be pulled and what can wait
Sources and further information
- DIE UMWELTBERATUNG: Watering correctly in the heat
- Nature in the garden: summertime, watering, and plant sitting
- State of Lower Austria: Heat tips for gardens, balconies, and terraces
Article image: AI-generated symbolic image.
