How to have stunning summer baskets and pots
Once you’ve purchased or planted up your baskets and patio pots follow our simple hints and tips to keep them looking good all summer long.
- Watering is key. Unless it pours down for days on end, keep your baskets and tubs well watered at all times, ideally do this twice a day, early and late, providing half a gallon of water a day per basket.
- If you are unsure whether your basket or tub needs water, pop your finger into the compost/soil and push it in as far down as possible to check for moisture. The top might feel dry but there could be plenty of moisture further down. The other good way is to check the weight of your basket or pot.
- To encourage lots of flowers, your baskets and tubs will need to be fed at least two or three times a week. Use a high potash feed such as Tomorite or a feed specifically created to feed plants in peat free compost such as Boost. Potash encourages flowers.
- If you’re planting up your own baskets or pots, you should include a slow-release fertiliser in your compost/soil before you pop your plants in.
- Also deadhead your plants. Deadheading means pinching or snipping off the dead flowers at regular intervals. This encourages new flowers to form and your tubs and baskets will look fabulous for longer.