As long as the sprinklers are working, I wouldn't sweat the hurricanes - not much you can do about them anyway. You'll have several days of weeding when you return and probably some trimming, but the amazing growth the garden should experience will be worth coming home to!

The only thing I could think of is to take down any hanging plants in trees and any thing that could tip over in a strong wind. Any garden ornaments you might want to bring inside.:o)

And have lots of fun!

Thanks guys....I can't wait to see what the garden looks like upon my return.....I will take all my hanging plants down and leave them in the yard protected by a fence....if they stay in the house they will definitely die. Other than that I guess I will just prepare for tons of weeding when I get back. :-)

I did that for many years, leave for 3 months over the summer and yes, when you come back the jungle look is amazing :-)
I was always scared of the wildlife that took over, so i blasted the stereo and threw balls for the dogs to run after. Gave the snakes a reason to haul a..

Also, if you have potted plants, move them into shade and make sure the sprinkler can get them.

I didn't even think about wildlife....I mean other than whatever has been digging little holes all over.....And SNAKES? I had definitley not thought about that :-( I don't know that I will let my dog out first....I would hate anything to happen to my baby....I think the hubby will be the first out in the garden when we return :-)

snakes don't like dogs, if they here them coming the snakes run. Of course it may depend on the dog's size, a dustmop may be lunch for a hungry snake ;-)

When I go up north for a few weeks I cut my roses back to almost nothing (and these are teas and chinas), give them some slow release fertilizer and pray for rain (we usually are gone during the rainy season). When we returned last week (after 7 weeks away) the roses were almost 2 feet tall and doing great! :-)

I have an english bulldog....I did not know snakes did not like dogs.....very good to know :-) I do not like snakes....very afraid of them...

I too have been in the garden and chopping everything down to nubs....cant wait to see the growth in three months....its so hard to leave my home and go to a dinky apartment for three months with no garden....what to do on my free time ...no garden...no doggie..... :-( I already cant wait to be back home.

The snakes in my yard go the other way when I take Peati out. One day Peati was out in the pool enclosure sniffing around while I was vacuuming and not paying attention. I heard splash and she was in the pool (I never had a dog who hated water like this one). They only thing I could figure out that would have scared her was a snake.

I'm betting that your garden will be beautiful when you return. And you'll be just in time for the best gardening weather when it's cooled off a little.

Kate

I can't wait to get back to gardening...three months is such a long time :-) It just sucks I finally have a house to call my own and I am going to live in an apartment :-(

Ok, Michele, now tell them why you will be gone for 3 months. What a fantastic opportunity!!!!! You go girl!
Besides, if any plants bite the dust feel free to replensh them from coffeemom's gardens.
Have the time of your life!

:-) Thanks Coffeemom.....you are too sweet...and I may have to take you up on your offer when I return.....I will be clerking at the Supreme Court of Florida up in Tallahassee ...it is a fabulous opportunity and I am excited about it....thank god I get to take my husband with me...I was not too happy about the thought of leaving him down here too as we are recently married...I do however have to leave my dog....so my excitement is tempered by some sadness as I have never left my baby for more than two weeks at a time...I also almost lost her last year as she is an old bullie and the thought of her dying while I am up in Tallahassee is killing me....so I just keep telling myself she will be fine and I will see her again soon.....it's not like I could have given up the job for the dog....people already think I'm crazy because of her :-) So we will be leaving early tommorrow morning and I will keep you guys informed....I've never been to Tallahassee before so it will be a little adventure....hubby and I will be exploring neighborhoods to see where we want to move after I graduate (we have to get out of Miami)...so it should be fun.....we are also going to see what the apartment is like and hopefully we will be able to sneak my baby in for three months :-)