Garden Plant Pots

Whether it be potting up new plants or caring for to established pots, all the effort put in now will pay dividends once summer comes. Here's what to do to ensure you that will have healthy, blooming containers.

When planting up a new pot select a container that's at least large enough to hold the plants roots comfortably, and has ample space. Next, add a layer of broken crocks, gravel or polystyrene pieces (which are especially good for large containers as they weigh very little) to provide a good drainage area. Now add a growing medium. Garden soil is unsuitable, a proprietary potting compost should be used, for example, Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost, which is great at retaining moisture and also contains a slow release plant food that will act for six months. Note that if you're planting an acid loving plant like an azalea, you'll need an ericaceous medium like Miracle-Gro camellia, azalea and rhododendron Compost.

If you're using regular compost, it makes sense to mix in a water retaining gel such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Gel. Not only will a container bound plant require much more water than if grown straight in the ground, but it will also be extremely susceptible to drying out. The gel will therefore provide an extra layer of protection against water loss. Next, dig a hole and plant the plant. To finish off, add a mulch. Anything that will cut down evaporation will do, from bark chips, to brightly coloured glass gravel. Be brave, be creative, there really is a wealth of choice.

Repotting and potting on can help plants that have become pot bound. That is, their roots become densely packed in the pot, meaning that little moisture is retained, and nutrients in the compost will be seriously dimished. If this isn't addressed quickly, the plants leaves will turn yellow, it will become ill and eventually die. The first thing to decide is whether to transfer the plant to a larger pot (potting on) or, repot back into the same container. This is really dependant on the situation but also choice, but where containers are concerned, bigger is always better.

If potting on, then first take the plant from it's current pot and work apart compacted roots. Next take the old container, place it in the new one and fill up the extra space around it with potting compost. Remove the old container, and place the plant in the hole. Press down the compost, adding more if need be. Finally, mulch.

If repotting firstly remove the plant from the pot and carefully remove old layers of compost and tease out roots. Next add compost to the bottome and replace the plant back in the container, topping up with more compost as needed. Finally add some mulch to finish off.

Topdressing and feeding is always required. Even established pots that don't need any drastic action will still need to have nutrients replenished. Top dressing is just the replacement of the top 2.5-5cm of old compost with fresh compost at the start of the growing season. Having topdressed, it's important to work out and stick to an appropriate feeding plan. Use a slow release plant food such as Miracle-Gro Controlled Release Plant Food which is only required twice per year, also feed every two weeks or so as you wate using Miracle-Gro All Purpose Soluble Plant Food.

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Article Tags: gardening, plants, pots, compost, flowers, horticulture, containers, vegetables, mulch, weeds
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Useful advice like which weed killer to apply or how to replant growing specimens will always help the novice gardener. This guide on potting plants and caring for them can be used all year round.
Author: Mark Bartley

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