Merely digging a hole and placing a newly bought plant into it will not ensure that it stays healthy and will live a long time. As well as positioning the plant in the right place, there are a number of other considerations that need to be taken account of to make sure you get the best results out of your plants and flowers. Generally speaking, autumn and spring are the best times to plant new plants in the garden.
Planting pot grown plants
When you buy a pot grown plant from a garden centre or nursery it will have been grown in rich organic potting compost rather than soil. To match these conditions you will need to make sure you dig plenty of organic material into the soil and place a handful at the bottom of the planting hole before you place the plant in it. Before you put it in the ground, water the plant well making sure the root ball is thoroughly wet. Dig a hole at least 10cm wider and deeper than the pot your plant is in and enrich with organic material. Remove the plant carefully from its pot and tease out a few roots to help them spread naturally into the soil. Place the plant into the hole and infill around it with soil. Then firm down the soil around the plant and water well.
Planting a bare rooted plant
The principles are much the same as with planting a pot grown plant. However, you should make the hole much deeper and wider to accommodate all the roots without squashing them. Bare rooted plants should be immersed in water for at least an hour before planting. Place the plant into the hole at the same level on the stem as it was growing in the nursery and work the soil in between the roots, pushing it down firmly with your fists. Fill the planting hole with soil and firm down with your heel. Loosen the surface soil a little and water well.
Planting bedding plants
Dig over the bed to be planted up and work in plenty of organic material. It is also a good idea to apply a slow release fertiliser to feed the plants throughout the season and ensure continuous blooms of flowers. Dig out individual planting holes and fill with a mixture of soil and organic material before planting. It will benefit the plants to leave a slight indentation around the base of each one to allow extra water to collect and work its way to the roots of the plant. To finish the effect plant up a few garden planters with a mixture of bedding plants and place at intervals throughout the border to add height and structure to your display.
Jo Poultney is one of two people behind Garden Planters. I have an RHS general certificate in horticulture. Garden Planters source unusual outdoor and indoor planters, and other garden related gifts - whatever your taste, be it traditional, modern or just a bit quirky, we will have something for you. I believe garden planters are an integral part of any garden - they enhance the overall design and say a little something about the person to whom the garden belongs. If you would like to know more about Garden Planters, visit our website at http://www.gardenplantersshop.co.uk
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