Planting a summer pot
It’s a good few years ago now since I realised the tremendous effect that enormous, plantfilled containers can have. Larger plant pots retain moisture longer, remain upright in strong winds, thanks to their weight, and provide more sustainable nutrition to their inmates, giving far greater impact than a few smaller containers. Plant up your pots for a dramatic show – look for thrillers, fillers and spillers – the latter to cascade over the edge. Drainage is key, so don’t block the hole in the base of the pot. I use an equal-parts mix of multi-purpose compost and John Innes No.2, the former to prevent the compost becoming claggy, and the latter for weight and its ability to retain nutrients. Apply dilute liquid tomato feed every couple of weeks after the first month. Deadhead plants regularly and rotate the pot occasionally for even growth.