How to keep plants alive when away on holiday?

We are away on holiday for a week and I am worried about the garden if it is very hot - I can ask a friend to come and water it all once in the week but my friends are busy with small kids and I don't want to ask them to come every day.

Any tips on how to prevent plants from dying? our garden is quite sunny. I am very worried about a new magnolia tree we just planted as it is in full sun.

If it is hot, ask your neighbour to water at night, as it will soak in, rather than evaporate in the sun.

Check with the children in your neighbor hood usually between 9 and 13 and offer to pay them to keep an eye on your property and water while you are away. Children that age will love to make the money.

Your magnolia tree should be ok if you followed the instructions given by the ones who you got it from. Your garden it another matter. If you can get a sprinkler system that will work, get an automatic one. Where is your garden? In the Northeast, it's been rather wet.

Spend your holiday in your garden!

automated sprinkler system, watering spikes that use 2 litter bottles for continous water they are more or less used for potted plants though,or ask a neighbor

You could leave the plants at their houses? They'd water them when they water their own and the problem is sorted! (check out their plants first of course - if they are dead then ask somebody else!)

surly to god in this world we have a water sprinkler on a timer, I haven't seen one but then I wasn't looking for one.
but it must be out there.

otherwise "ye gads back to the caves again lads"

hmm really ask neighbours ,,,,and offer them 2 keep ur eyes on their as they will away ,,,, that's the best ,,, and bring them small not expensive gift from holidays ,,,,

Ask your local garden centre about automatic watering systems.

For about $65 to $75 (depending on the size of your garden and where you purchase them from) you can set up your garden on an automatic watering system. Purchase an automatic timer (runs on batteries and costs around $45) that attaches directly onto your faucet. You can then buy two 75-foot soaker hoses that will connect to your timer and then position this around all your plants so they can be watered while you're away.

This system isn't good on lawns but it does provide enough water for trees and other ornamental plants. I'd recommend you to set it up several days in advance so you can determine adequate watering times and positioning of the hoses.

Good Luck!

Take them with you