Guides
Leaving Madeira for a while? How to keep the garden alive
Many owners spend only part of the year on the island. A few weeks of summer sun without water are enough to lose pots and young plants. Here is how to plan it.
How much water, by season
- Summer (June to September): pots every 1–2 days, beds and young plants twice a week.
- Spring and autumn: pots 2–3 times a week, beds once a week if it doesn't rain.
- Winter: the rain usually does the job; a check every 2–3 weeks is enough.
- These are rough guides — sun, wind and pot size change the numbers a lot.
Before you leave
- Move pots into partial shade and group them together — they dry out more slowly.
- Put saucers under small pots and mulch the beds with bark or leaves.
- If you have drip irrigation, test the timer and leave a spare battery.
Visits while you're away
- A short visit: watering, a check of the plants and the irrigation, photos on WhatsApp — €30, up to 1 hour.
- In summer once or twice a week; in winter every 2–3 weeks or after a storm.
Holiday rentals
- Between guests the garden has to look its best. Send us the check-in dates and we'll plan the visits around them.
Would rather not do it yourself?
Send a photo on WhatsApp — we'll tell you the price and when we can come.