Choosing The Right Pot Of Your Plants

Always put broken bits of pot, known as crocks, into the bottom of the planter to cover the holes, and be generous with them. This stops the soil falling out of the pot, and prevents the hole from getting blocked up. If your container is more than 30cm (12in) high, put a layer of pebbles on top of the crocks. For very delicate pieces, and for most glass, use an inner pot with drainage holes, and put some crushed charcoal at the bottom of the container to keep any water collecting there sweet. Empty out the water regularly. You can put marbles both at the bottom of a glass pot and as a mulch over the top. When the water has covered the marbles at the bottom, pour out any excess, covering the pot with your hand to avoid losing any soil.

When planting up your container, put in enough compost to ensure that the new plant(s) will end up about 2cm (3hin) below its top edge. When removing the plant from the pot it has been grown in, gently tease out the roots to encourage new root growth outwards into the fresh compost. Fill up the pot around the plant(s) and firm in gently. Always water thoroughly just after planting. After a couple of weeks, as the plant settles, the container may need topping up with a little more compost.

Soil-based compost, whose main constituent is topsoil, holds nutrients and water efficiently, making it a good choice for more permanent plantings, including shrubs and small trees. It is heavy, and aids stability when the container is placed in a windy situation. Heavy rain or overwatering can increase the weight dramatically, so don't use soil-based compost if load- bearing is an issue, particularly on a roof garden or balcony.

Soil-less composts are usually based on peat or a peat substitute such as coir, bark or wood fibre. They are light and easy to handle and, because many plants are bought in peat-based soils, new plants start well in them. They are suitable for annuals and other less permanent plantings, and where load-bearing may be a concern. The main problem with soil-less composts is that they need more regular watering and feeding than soil-based ones, and must never be allowed to dry out completely because it is very difficult to remoisten them. There is now one available that contains imidacloprid, which combats aphids and vine weevils.

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