Sorry for the delay in replying - the weather was so beautiful I did some work in the garden (in preparation you understand!) That's very good advice. I was hoping I didn't need to buy a cold frame or something. I will order now to have the choice, as you say, and pot them on. Thank you so much. Hopefully it will prevent me from making any more mistakes in the garden!
Sometimes - the mistakes are the beneficial things @Janet500 This is where the forum is so useful. I made lots of mistakes because I didn't realise my conditions are vastly different from further south. If this forum [and the internet!] had been around, it would have helped enormously. I don't what your conditions are like - but it's always better to be slightly cautious at this stage. Bare root plants can also vary enormously, as with any plant bought unseen, so it does no harm to take it easy with them. It may well be the case that you get great big hearty plants, and your soil etc is fine, but if you're unsure, it's better to wait
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I always worry that l will miss out on the plants l really want if l wait until Spring so that's why my garden has lots of pots in sheltered places in the winter 😳.
Thank you to you both. Much appreciated. I have heavy clay soil so I know it's a problem. Great for the rhodos though! I'm going to order my phlox, repot it and tuck it under a shrub! Just discovered this forum and I'm sure I'm going to learn a lot!
Hope you get the ones you want. Definitely the best idea. Many nurseries have been out of stock of all sorts of plants this year too, so it would be disappointing to miss out.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I also live in south Hants and I agree with all the advice, and I have phlox in clayish soil and the only problem is mildew if I don't give them enough water. Mine came with the house 33 years ago and get the 'Chelsea chop' every year.
Hi @Janet500, if your soil is heavy clay a good mulch at this time of year would help improve soil structure for spring planting. As you have rhododendrons you should steer away from mushroom compost, which is alkaline. Well-rotted manure, spent compost from summer pots and baskets, home-made compost, etc., will all be suitable. If cost is an issue then focus on putting a thick layer on the area that needs it most. Leave fallen leaves on the borders under shrubs to decompose over winter - just make sure none are sitting on the crowns of your perennials.
Thank you - didn't know that about mushroom compost! I've bought a bag of soil improver from B&Q and I'm going to resurrect the compost bin we inherited when we moved in. And thank you for the mildew advice. Ground is like concrete in the summer!
Lots of organic matter will help enormously as @rachelQrtJHBjb says, and that will gradually prevent the cracking, drying out of your clay soil in summer. Something I never have to worry about here, but in drier areas, it's a problem
Almost every plant benefits from it as it helps retain moisture if you have very free draining sandy soil, but it helps with drainage in the opposite conditions. Well rotted manure is the best addition, but everything mentioned is great for improving the health and structure of the soil. Getting your compost bin up and running will be a boon in the future too
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I feel so much more inspired now than I did this time last week - thank you. And it's really good to know that I haven't got to wade through umpteen books to find help!
Posts
This is where the forum is so useful. I made lots of mistakes because I didn't realise my conditions are vastly different from further south. If this forum [and the internet!] had been around, it would have helped enormously.
I don't what your conditions are like - but it's always better to be slightly cautious at this stage. Bare root plants can also vary enormously, as with any plant bought unseen, so it does no harm to take it easy with them.
It may well be the case that you get great big hearty plants, and your soil etc is fine, but if you're unsure, it's better to wait
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Many nurseries have been out of stock of all sorts of plants this year too, so it would be disappointing to miss out.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Almost every plant benefits from it as it helps retain moisture if you have very free draining sandy soil, but it helps with drainage in the opposite conditions. Well rotted manure is the best addition, but everything mentioned is great for improving the health and structure of the soil. Getting your compost bin up and running will be a boon in the future too
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...