Suggestions on how to hire a plant-sitter?

[Monkeyleg]

I'll be going to Italy in a couple of months, for two weeks. I now have a lot of plants, and they'll need to be watered at least once or twice.

I've tapped my neighbors for too many favors during my recovery from surgery to ask them again. Besides, I really don't want them looking around my house.

I'd like to hire someone to come on three or maybe four days and water plants. I'll have the proper containers with the proper amounts of water, and will label them with the dates for watering.

Any suggestions on how to find such a person without returning home to an empty house?

[Ben]

Maybe try Angie's List or similar, where you can get reviews and references.

On a tangent, would they really need to come by that many times? If you watered well the day before you left, it seems like you could get by with just one visit, then water as soon as you get home.  I don't have any really sensitive plants, but this time of year they all do fine with water every 7-10 days.

I wouldn't hesitate, for a two week trip, to soak them good before I left, then just water them the day I returned. Even if they wilted a little, they should bounce back from only one delayed watering.

[KD5NRH]

Craigslist personals.  Look for one of the "want a hookup but can't host" ads.  Offer them a temporary orgy site in exchange for plant care.

Do plan on burning the furniture when you get back, though.

[bedlamite]

Craigslist personals.  Look for one of the "want a hookup but can't host" ads.  Offer them a temporary orgy site in exchange for plant care.

Do plan on burning the furniture when you get back, though.

That right there is why this place is awesome.

[Andiron]

I've tapped my neighbors for too many favors during my recovery from surgery to ask them again. Besides, I really don't want them looking around my house.

I'd like to hire someone

If you trust the neighbors enough to ask favors,  why not just offer them money to water the plants?

[41magsnub]

Something like thishttp://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=PLN-6053&src=froogle&kw=PLN-6053&gclid=CJeHyZ3k4coCFchffgodbCkMAw

[French G.]

I am away for a month right now, plants will be fine, done plenty of one month stints with no plant sitter. I watered the heck out of them and left them in pans with a little water where they can draw it from the bottom. If you have a thirsty plant you can tent it up with a clear bag, dry cleaning bag, plastic wrap or what have you to greenhouse it a little and keep the humidity up to reduce respiration.

[vaskidmark]

Check with the local mall and big office buildings to see who they use.

Check out who the big/fancy nursing homes/retirement communities use.

Better chance of getting a bonded/insured caregiver.

A rough idea of cost here:  http://petplanthome.com/services-and-rates/

Got any really hard/difficult situations that need resolving?

stay safe.

[Monkeyleg]

If you trust the neighbors enough to ask favors,  why not just offer them money to water the plants?

They won't take the money. When I asked them to pick up things at Walgreens, they got the things, but wouldn't take any money. Now I owe them, so I suppose I'll get a restaurant gift certificate (don't know what else to get), which will cost more than the stuff.

I have some plants that need watering twice a week or they'll die. Some others can go three weeks.

[Ben]

Something like thishttp://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=PLN-6053&src=froogle&kw=PLN-6053&gclid=CJeHyZ3k4coCFchffgodbCkMAw

Your site isn't working (even after separating the thishttp ) but I'm guessing it points to something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Globe-Mini-Decorative-Hand-blown/dp/B00IRH8DM0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1454719956&sr=8-2&keywords=plant+waterer

For fifteen ducats, I might try them myself.

[BlueStarLizzard]

oh, those glass things work really well. It's how my bosses manage to keep plants alive at the shop (they not always so great on watering)

[Ben]

oh, those glass things work really well. It's how my bosses manage to keep plants alive at the shop (they not always so great on watering)

Cool, thanks. They're in the Amazon cart. Well, not those exactly. I found some others for half the price. :)

[BlueStarLizzard]

Cool, thanks. They're in the Amazon cart. Well, not those exactly. I found some others for half the price. :)

I was skeptical when I first saw them, but they do actually work. Plus, they do look really nice. My bosses have some extra's sometimes and will just stick a second empty one in the pot for decoration.

[41magsnub]

Your site isn't working (even after separating the thishttp ) but I'm guessing it points to something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Globe-Mini-Decorative-Hand-blown/dp/B00IRH8DM0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1454719956&sr=8-2&keywords=plant+waterer

For fifteen ducats, I might try them myself.

What the hell did I do???   Basically that, this one was ana adapter for up to 2 liter water bottles.