water, water everywhere Going away Planning will keep your garden green

While Bruce Forrest spent a week with his family at a cottage in the Thumb, two other gardeners watered his vegetables. All three rent plots at the community garden in Taylor's Heritage Park. After seeing the care they gave their own rows, Forrest was confident his vacation stand-ins wouldn't let him -- or his plants -- down. "They might even do better than I do," says Forrest, 63, a retired retail manager. The two split the duties so Forrest's plot got watered every other day. Taking time away from home can give pause to people with many hours and much effort invested in their lawns and gardens. Sure, a change of scene is welcome. But what about saying good-bye to a well-watered garden and coming back to find it bone dry? A droughty lawn or thirsty perennials often come back. But annuals and vegetables can't make it too long without water, especially when it's hot. So people leaving their plants might swap watering duties with someone for whom they'll return the favor in the future. Or hire a neighborhood youngster for an agreed-upon watering schedule and cost. Here are additional strategies for making sure plants are still living when your time away is history.

Lawns

If you'll be gone more than a week, mow a bit shorter than usual. Regularly watered turf should be soaked before you go. If you've allowed the grass to go into its natural summer dormancy, don't start watering now. Arrange for someone else to mow if you'll be gone longer than a week.

Containers and hanging baskets

Move outdoor containers and baskets into shade. Water well. Mulch exposed soil.

To gradually release moisture, mix water-absorbing polymer crystals (available at garden centers) with water and spread that on top of the soil. The polymer is usually mixed into soil at planting but can work as a topping, according to Sandra Goeddeke-Richards, horticulture program director for the Macomb County office of the MSU Extension in Clinton Township.

She sets her potted bonsai on a platform in her semi-shaded garden pond. The bottoms of the bonsai pots just touch the water. That keeps them going for several days. This would also work for large tropical plants in containers.

Put plants growing in clay pots inside a larger plastic pot to retard moisture loss. No matter what kind of pot a plant is in, slip it into a larger one. Dampen old T-shirts or cotton batting and tuck that between the two pots to maintain humidity.

Do-it-yourself irrigation systems like Mister Landscaper (www.mrlandscaper.com) are available to water a group of up to eight patio plants. The system attaches to a hose or faucet. Pricing varies by store but averages about $30 plus $30 for a timer.

Outdoor beds

Water thoroughly and mulch exposed soil. If you have a drip irrigation system, run it on a timer.

In-ground systems on timers take care of outdoor beds as well as lawns.

Vegetable garden

Before Bruce Forrest left in late July, he gave his vegetable garden a thorough soaking and spread a layer of grass clippings to conserve soil moisture.

He also harvested anything that was ready or would be too mature by his return, like 3- to 4-inch squash.

"It's a little short, but if you come back a week later it might be 35 feet long," he says with the wry laugh of a gardener who's been there.

Drip irrigation systems on timers are a good choice for vegetable gardens because they don't wet the foliage, which can promote disease.

For tomatoes, which require even moisture as the fruits develop, cut the top off a gallon milk jug. Use a nail to puncture several holes in the bottom. Bury all but the top of the jug in the vicinity of the tomato's roots and fill the container with water, which will slowly seep out.

Of course, the best time to install this low-tech watering system without risking root damage is at planting time.

But even now, it's one way to keep the plants watered until the resident gardener returns to the residence.