Garden Decor – Caring For Plants
Plants need caring if they are to grow well. This means potting and feeding when required, paying attention to watering, providing the right atmosphere and other growing conditions, pruning when required and pest control. If you want your garden decor to look at its best, you should not skip any of this steps.
For most permanent plants soil-based compost is recommended. Soilless composts are recommended for some plants, especially temporary pot plants and permanent kinds that like humus-rich soil, and these imply peat-based or peatless composts.
Plastic pots are widely used for growing many types of plants (especially temporary pot plants), but for larger specimens I recommend the heavier clay pots as they are more stable. Plants should not be potted on as required, generally before they become pot-bound (pots packed full of roots). Plants are often moved on two sizes (for example, from a 4in to a 6in pot – although very slow-growing plants should be moved on one size each time.
Eventually, many permanent plants like shrubs, trees and perennials, will need to go into final containers. These may be large pots, maybe ornamental kinds, or wooden tubs, the square Versailles design being particularly attractive in most places including the conservatory and patio areas. Final containers will vary in size but should be a minimum of 12in in diameter and depth, through to 18n or more, depending on size of plant.
Permanent plants are best potted on annually in early spring. Temporary pot plants may need moving on throughout the growing season as well. Drainage material is often dispensed with these days but it is necessary when using pots over 6in in diameter and certainly for final containers. “Crocks” or broken clay pots still provide the best drainage material and the layer should be covered with rough leafmould or something similar before adding compost. Make sure you leave watering space at the top of the pot or container; according to its size.
Caring for plants by providing the right atmosphere and other conditions will definitely have a great impact on your garden or patio design as well as indoors.