Cheapest ways to water your garden while you're on holiday including 'genius' plastic bottle hack

Keeping plants watered regularly, with busy schedules, can be difficult, and it's even harder now that the hosepipe ban has been activated in places across the UK. But most importantly, ensuring your plants don't wither or die while you're absent for a prolonged period of time is a big concern, especially if you don't have someone who can pop round and do it for you.

That's where at-home irrigation hacks can come in clutch, so you can jet off in peace knowing your cherished house plants and greenhouse growers will be just as you left them by the time you get home. But if you're worried this could come with a hefty price tag, don't worry, as we've outlined below plenty of affordable ways to keep plants watered while you're gone, including DIY hacks that won't cost a penny.

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When it comes to maintaining outside plants, this summer could prove to be more difficult as millions of people are set to face hosepipe and sprinkler restrictions amid sweltering weather across the UK. Specific water firm customers will not be allowed to use hoses for anything from gardening to filling up paddling pools, as temperatures peaked at 34.7 °C in England last week.

Although South East Water will enforce its hosepipe ban on July 18, Yorkshire Water imposed its rules from yesterday (July 11). Both firms warned that reservoirs had struggled amidst the driest spring in over a century, while demand for water has only surged.

To find out more about whether the hosepipe ban will affect you, click here.

1. Watering Globes

Using something like this 10-Piece Plant Watering Globes can be ideal for setting up an at-home irrigation system for your plants, ensuring they're kept thoroughly watered for days on end. Ideal for busy lifestyles too, these affordable globes can simply be spiked into the soil of your plants and left until the water runs out, which typically lasts four to five days. This particular set on Amazon retails for £17.99, but you can find a similar multipack at Robert Dyas for £12.99.

2. Irrigation Gadgets

Automatic Watering Systems can be a great asset to have for keeping your plants nourished on a schedule that works best for you and the plants. Though some smart irrigation systems can become relatively pricey, there are models available that work effectively for small clusters of plants, whether in your home or in a greenhouse, while going easy on the wallet.

This model on Amazon is currently available for £24.39 and boasts a cordless design that can last up to 50 days on a full charge. With this automatic irrigation system, you can flexibly adjust the irrigation time (1-30 minutes), the irrigation frequency (3H/6H/12H/1-7 days), and the maximum flow rate of 400 ml per minute. You can easily and conveniently adjust the irrigation mode according to your plants' needs, ensuring they're kept watered whenever you're out of the house.

Shoppers who bought this system have bestowed it with plenty of 5-star reviews. One satisfied shopper says: "Very easy to use and works perfectly well. I keep it plugged in to make sure battery doesn't run out. It's a simple and reliable tool. My indoor garden is already sprouting."

While another shares their thoughts, writing: "Easy to use, allowed me to leave for 10 days without my indoor plants being abandoned."

Other water dripping systems are available at lower price points, including this Garden Gear Mighty Dripper at Thompson & Morgan. This dripper is perfect for when you're heading off on holiday, as you simply fill it with water and away you go. With six adjustable dripper settings, this contraption can last for days and hold up to 10.5 litres of water, ensuring your plants are nourished when you're not there. This dripper retails for £14.99.

3. DIY hacks

Our Beauty & Wellness Editor, Laura Mulley, recently went on vacation. She shared one genius DIY hack she used to ensure her plants were looked after while she was gone—and this trick won't cost you anything.

Simply find a plastic bottle, ideally a larger one, but this can vary depending on your plant's water needs or how long you'll be away, and cut it in half using scissors. Poke holes in the cap of the bottle and then place it back on the bottle, then put the bottle, cap-down, into the soil (about an inch deep) and bob's your uncle.

Equally, you can also purchase spike attachments to screw onto your plastic bottle, like this set from Robert Dyas for £17.99 (includes 8 spikes and taps) which acts the same way.