You mean a victim? She will turn it around and make you feel bad about the fact that you had to water the plants for her… I’ve met a few of those people in my time
I mean, they seem to be listening more and more, so maybe if we unite on this forum and start talking about the plant and other features, maybe they will take notice and make them better
60plants x3 mins (the 125 plants was a previous sit I think?)
Hmm well if the plants are new then possibly, although burying a plastic bottle ‘funnel’ next to a new plant can greatly reduce watering times as you fill the bottle up by hosepipe and it slowly drips through…..
You’re right. 125 was the previous situation. Still, 60X3= 180, which would be 3 hours instead of one hour and a half.
It’s just a small mistake in a post that’s otherwise coherent. It would be more important if written in a review, IMHO
Tons of outdoor plants in a hot climate, especially if newly planted, should definitely be explained in listings or application discussions.
For the tons-of-houseplants folks I’ll put in another plug for this secret weapon, which I recommend all the time. The HO can make their care easy plants-for-dummies by noting where on the meter a plant needs to be watered and how much to put on. No guessing.
Amazon.com: Dr.meter Soil Moisture Meter, Plant Water Meter for Garden Lawn Farm Indoor & Outdoor Use, Soil Tester Hygrometer Sensor for House Plants, Gardening Gifts, No Battery Needed : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Maybe they could do a survey on the forum and ask members what they think about it! 
oh wait
The trees were 3 minutes each. She wanted me to water all of the plants 3 minutes, but I didn’t.. I watered the ones that didn’t need that much, less time.
@sumi I honestly don’t think that an hour or two watering plants is a big ask. Unless there are also very demanding pets it still gives you plenty of time to explore. It isn’t a free holiday, you have to expect to “earn your keep”. Give an honest review and ask more questions next time.
Honestly, I would leave if I could. That is a job. They can either pay you to do what they didn’t disclose or just leave. It really makes me angry hearing about stories like this, as if you don’t have anything else to do. I would be livid. 10 plants okay but 60? 60 plants for 3 minutes each is 3 hours per day. You’ve got to be kidding.
I think it’s obvious that people on this forum have different levels of tolerance for cleanliness, responsibilities, noise…, but the big issue is, FULL DISCLOSURE! Both parties need to provide all relevant info and details in their profiles, listings and during calls/video chats. That seems to be the biggest issue of contention when sits go awry.
Anyway, I don’t think (hope) sitters and HOs leave out info on purpose. Sometimes we just forget to provide the necessary details, like, “need to water plants” but forget to mention how many there are.
Hmmmm. If this was disclosed upfront then fine. But it was not. The point of the post is that the time associated with watering was MUCH more than “a few plants”. New trees, in addition to the other plants in a hot likely desert climate (New Mexico, US) is quite different than watering a few plants. An hour and a half add-on of responsibilities for watering after arrival to the sit is deceptive on the HO’s part.
I understand your take, however, with my schedule, it doesn’t work for me to devote that much time to the plants, as well as walking each dog, individually. My point was that this needed to be disclosed during the interview, or in the listing, so I could accept or not.
I’ve just completed an hour of quite complex garden/greenhouse watering, but got to pick and eat raspberries as I went along plus listened to my Audible book so it didn’t feel at all onerous. The instructions were brilliantly done- x4 1-4 minute videos prior to my arrival explaining everything as the HO walked around her garden, so I just played her words in my ear pods during this 1st watering. The cat was nonchalantly lurking…assessing if I was going to be silly with the hose (I wasn’t) so he has a tiny bit more trust in me today.
This is a bummer. FYI you don’t need to water outdoor plants. Only potted plants. Rain is enough and roots do the job.
No, that’s definitely not the case. We do a SW Turkish sit that needs 3 hours of watering every 3 days of the outdoor plants aka jungle. They’d never survive summer without it. Ditto all English gardens in the last two months. Outdoor doesn’t mean they don’t need water given to them?! #watermeplease
Exactly!
Also, neither rain nor plants are single, universal standards.
I think that’s a little harsh and unhelpful. It’s difficult for a sitter to leave if things aren’t as described. They would have to factor in accommodation and transport costs. The sitter also doesn’t want to let the HO down and leave them without care for their pets on such short notice.
There’s been a heatwave in the Uk for the last 3 weeks - lawns + shrubs need a good watering. In my case, it’s taking approx 90 mins every evening. Watering plants was not listed as a responsibility in the sit otherwise I would’ve swerved on this sit. I was also asked to clip some plants or “they will go to seed”.
I had to google this as I am not a gardener.
@lalo2025 sometimes sitting is harsh. Yes its difficult to leave, yes you feel the responsibility, but at the end of the day, only two choices, stay or go.