How to give your garden the Chelsea touch

Replace struggling plants

If you have plants that have been struggling along for the last couple of years, think about what you would prefer to have growing in their places. It’s easy to hang on to ‘inherited’ plants that were there when you moved in but if they aren’t growing well or you don’t actually like them, take them out and replace with a potted plant from the patio. Every Chelsea plant is grown to perfection and while none of us will ever be perfect gardeners (pressure off!) it’s good to have something to aim for!

Weed, wash and repoint the paths

Even the finest display of potted plants can struggle to look impressive if the patio is dirty and full of weeds. Use a sharp weeding tool to dislodge weeds growing in the cracks and also to loosen crumbling cement. If you have cement and water in the shed, mix three parts water with one part cement and fill in the gaps with a pointing trowel. Pack the cement down well with a trowel and then smooth it with the trowel or a piece ofold hosepipe.

Stake floppy plants

A few good spring rains can cause perennials to shoot up over night so stake them now so they don’t flop over if we have a wet and windy night. Also put supports in place for plants that haven't yet put on much growth, to prevent them falling over or being damaged later.

Sink plants in pots into the garden for extra impact

If your borders are looking a bit ‘gappy’ or come to a peak later in the year, move some plants in pots into the gap to fill out for Chelsea week! Just check that there aren’t any emerging shoots coming up in the gap before you place the pot there. Ideally position them so the pot isn’t visible. If not, temporarily dig a hole and ‘plant’ the pot. If you like the look of it you could actually plant it to fill the gap. Just remember to water well after planting and in dry spells for the rest of summer.