Aftercare

WATERING Water more frequently in spring and summer, ideally early in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler. Bedding plants grown in containers require watering daily in summer, but succulents, drought-tolerant plants and mature plants need less water. Use a hose or watering can with a fine rose attachment until water drains out of the container.

FEEDING Compost contains enough nutrients for container-grown plants for around six weeks.

After that you will need to replace the nutrients with a general-purpose fertiliser with sufficient amounts of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Some plants, like roses, have specific feeding requirements.

DEADHEADING Removing dead or fading flowers encourages plants to produce more blooms. Just pinch off the flowers or snip them off with a pair of scissors. Bedding plants and perennials, such as dahlias, heucheras and fuchsias, will all produce a further flush of flowers after deadheading.

STAKING Some plants, like delphiniums, foxgloves and dahlias, grow quite tall, so stake them by tying the stems with raffia or string to garden canes pushed into the compost.

PRUNING Most of the plants grown in containers won’t require pruning, but if you have evergreen shrubs, such as box, holly or bay, then a light prune in spring and summer will help to keep them looking neat and tidy.

PESTS AND DISEASES Watch out for pests such as aphids, slugs and snails, and diseases like botrytis (grey mould) and powdery mildew. Treat with an appropriate organic insecticide or fungicide. Remove slugs and snails by hand.