Make Vacation Plans with Your Gainesville Landscaping in Mind

When you plan to leave on vacation, it is important to get your Gainesville landscape and potted plants in order before your departure.   You can ask a friend or neighbor to check on your plants while you are gone. Place your outdoor potted plants in a shady location. Potted plants may be placed in the ground up to the rim of the container. A thick layer of mulch will conserve moisture and reduce the amount of water needed while on vacation.   Place indoor plants in an area that receives indirect light. Direct sunlight will dry out the soil faster. Do not leave plants in a darkened room because leaves will drop.   The last thing to do before leaving on your trip is to thoroughly soak the plants. Houseplants should be OK for two weeks. If your vacation will last longer than two weeks, move houseplants outdoors and sink pots in a shaded and cool garden bed. Line up someone to provide Gainesville lawn mowing if you will be gone longer than one week to keep your Gainesville landscape looking neat.   Theresa Badurek is an urban horticulture extension agent with the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Pinellas County Extension Service.