3 OUTDOOR POT TIPS

Richard Unsworth of Garden Life on how to prevent your pot plants drying out

1. Watering: Pot plants can wither faster than the rest of your garden, so ensure they get enough water during summer. Plants in hot exposed areas require more watering than ones in shadier spots, except drought-tolerant plants which love the sun and need less watering anyway. 2. Material: Terracotta dries out quickly as it’s very porous, so you’ll need to water plants in this kind of pot more frequently than others. Or, line your terracotta pots with a bitumen or other waterproofing paint to slow down evaporation. Avoid using saucers to capture water, as most plants hate having wet feet. 3. Potting mix: Re-wet the potting mix thoroughly when you water. Remove the hose nozzle, allow water to flow freely into the pot and soak until you see water flowing out from the bottom. Good-quality potting mixes perform better and may also contain water-storing granules. It’s a good idea to mulch pots, and I like to use gravel instead of bark mulch as the wood tannin can leach and stain your pavers. Visit Garden Life at gardenlife.com.au.