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1. Compost
Only use a good quality compost. Cheap compost bargains will only give
poor results. We only use and recommend Levington, as do "Gardening
Which."
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2. Container
Make sure that the basket or container is large enough. It is easier
to get good results with a larger container.
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3. Sun or Shade
Choose the right plants for the situation. Remember, Geraniums
like sun. Fuchsias and Impatiens, however, prefer at least
partial shade.
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4. Shelter
Plants such as Fuchsias and Pendula Begonias will require some shelter
to reduce wind damage. Geraniums are less affected by wind.
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5. Mix of Plants
This applies to both flowering and foliage plants. Be careful with
some, such as trailing (surfinia) Petunias, which are
very vigorous and best grown on their own. Others to watch are
Bidens and some of the Verbenas, such as Sissinghurst Pink.
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6. Watering
Water every day. Remember that wind can dry out baskets as much as
the sun. Rain is of little value to hanging baskets.
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7. Feeding
Liquid feed every week. Increase this to twice or even three times,
in hot sunny weather. We recommend Phostrogen as a liquid feed
at the prescribed rate. Long life fertilizers in compost are
useful as a stand-by but are not a complete substitute for liquid
feeding.
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8. Dead Heading
Keep your plants flowering by regular dead heading - removal of
old flowers. Cut back any excessive growth from the foliage
plants.
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9. Pest & Disease Control
Greenfly will be a major problem. Keep a watchful eye open for the
distortion of leaves and shoots. Spray with a suitable pesticide
to control.
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10. Going on Holiday
This is always a concern in summer. Get a friend to water your
plants every day. But, just in case, take down your baskets
and containers and place them against a north-facing wall,
so that the plants will not be too stressed if they happen
to be missed one day.
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If you need more help...
...You will find a wealth of gardening information if you click
on this link to the web site of the Royal Horticultural Society.
...Or
email us on enquiries@woolpitnurseries.co.uk. |
