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| Containers & Planters |
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Containers and planters can be of varying shape and size, plus the contents can be equally as varied as can be seen here;
As an alternative to flowers & shrubs one can use scented herbs that can also be used in the kitchen.
Containers can dry out rapidly in the excess heat and wind, so the larger the container used the better.
If small pots are used, choose those made from non-porous materials such as plastic or metal to reduce moisture loss.
Keep metal containers out of full sun or they may get over heat.
Types of compost should be considered, i.e. although containers filled with peat-based or peat-substitute composts as opposed loam-based composts, are easier to transport around, they also dry out faster, this in turn makes them even lighter and prone being blown over in high winds.
Large plants should be well anchored to stop them blowing over
Containers will need watering all year round, except in freezing conditions, and possibly twice a day in summer.
Nutrients are washed out of the compost every time you water, so give a liquid feed at least once a week.
To prolong the flowering season, deadhead the plants by pinching off all withered flowers, if you leave them on, they set seed, and flowering stops.
Week 15; Remove weeds from containers / planters and top up with fresh compost as necessary.
If compost appears dry, apply water until excess moisture is seen draining away.
If no water is seen draining away, check drainage holes and clear any obstructions.
Week 32; Make sure container plants do not want for moisture, and if peat-filled baskets do dry out completely, re-wet them by immersing them up to the rim in water.
Products are available to make it easier to water baskets.
If established containers remain waterlogged after watering, check that compost or roots have not blocked the drainage holes.
Regularly deadhead plants so that seed production cannot sap the plants' energy.
Apply liquid fertiliser on a regular basis to boost growth and flowering.
Week 51; If bad weather prevents you working outside, check over your containers and give the sound ones a thorough clean.
Herbs;
Herbs such as Basil, Bay, Lavender,Marjoram, Mint, Rosemary, and Sage to name but a few, are well suited to containerised growing.
Many of the annual species can be sown indoors early in the year and transplanted out into the container after the frosts.
Perennial varieties can be purchased at garden centres or grown from cuttings given by friends and / or family.
If buying annual species from a garden centre ensure that they have been well hardened off prior to planting out.
Basically the selection of pot,compost and aftercare is the same as flowers.
Quite a few herbs are more drought tolerant than flowers particularly if the are in deep pots and get a good deep root run.
The compost should be a bit more open textured so add about 25% (by volume) to the compost mixes described above.
Most herbs are grown for their leaves rather than their flowers, so use a balanced fertilser when feeding rather than a high potash one.
The perennial species can be left in the container/s for a number of years.
In subsequent years when replanting annual species replace the top 50-75mm (2"-3") of compost with new prior to planting.
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