It sounds like you are really getting into your gardening, but be warned - it is addictive and there is no known cure
Growing in pots is more labour intensive than having a border, but it's also much more versatile. Don't like where something is located? Just lift and shift with no digging.
I've got a mix. I do have 2 long borders, but also masses of pots and other containers on the patio and in front of the house. All the containers on the patio are attached to a watering system, but I have to water the one's out the front by hand. Not a problem - as you say it can be theraputic. When holidays come along I shift the pots to the back and add them to the watering system.
This is the sort of thread I like, but I missed it earlier. I love seeing before and after pictures of people's gardens and your pots look lovely. I would have known petunia Night Sky as I grew it this summer too.
I have pots on my terrace as it's paving, but where it is possible to have a bed I would always choose that option. With pots there is always the risk of drying out, they need feeding and they can look fussy. Have you tried working a fork into the soil to see if it's full of rubble? If it's not too bad you can dig in compost to improve it, rotted manure too, if you can get it. Beds look more natural to me. Also I hope you live in a good neighbourhood, pots in front gardens risk getting nicked.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
nah they are safe, good quiet neighbour so will be fine.
I think I will will stick with pots for at least 2 more years, learn what I like and also dabbling with growing flower from seed with an electric propogator, so lets see how that develops first.
Going to extend the back area that is membraned though, want 4 huge pots for tree lillies (due in a few weeks)
Also thinking about adding 2 x 180cm x 180cm trellis to the back wall.......... but I want a cold frame too...... ooooo so easy to spend £££ without realising lol
Well done Peter. Always good to find a new hobby and such an enriching one like gardening.. your garden looks lovely. Watch out in a few years time that you don't put your name down for an allotment!!!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Well done Peter. Always good to find a new hobby and such an enriching one like gardening.. your garden looks lovely. Watch out in a few years time that you don't put your name down for an allotment!!!
Just come across your post too Peter, welcome to the forum. I'm a relatively new member (and gardener) and have found that the members are all incredibly helpful and a wealth of knowledge.
Those pots certainly add colour and are a real cheery sight. As a fellow Scot, my only concern for your pots is protecting the plants over winter. If you haven't already done so can I suggest you raise them from the ground to ensure they drain away.. If the pots get water logged there is a real danger that it freezes and your plants will perish. I speak from experience as I've lost a fair few specimens in my early beginner years.
Hi Peter, just checked into this topic and saw your Night Sky petunias - which are lovely - I think they were new for this year - I was given a few from a Gardener friend - they really stand out if mixed with white ones too. I love my containers they look so vibrant, although they take time to water regularly and I mix a feed with the water once a week.
Posts
dont be sorry, never been happier
top left is a fence that I`ve got a clematis growing on, done well this year after planting 2015
could maybe put trelis against the back wall and have some sweet peas at the base, then put the tree lillies infront of them ?
kind of a blank canvas at the moment to a degree so I`m glad of the suggestions
It sounds like you are really getting into your gardening, but be warned - it is addictive and there is no known cure
Growing in pots is more labour intensive than having a border, but it's also much more versatile. Don't like where something is located? Just lift and shift with no digging.
I've got a mix. I do have 2 long borders, but also masses of pots and other containers on the patio and in front of the house. All the containers on the patio are attached to a watering system, but I have to water the one's out the front by hand. Not a problem - as you say it can be theraputic. When holidays come along I shift the pots to the back and add them to the watering system.
This is the sort of thread I like, but I missed it earlier. I love seeing before and after pictures of people's gardens and your pots look lovely. I would have known petunia Night Sky as I grew it this summer too.
I have pots on my terrace as it's paving, but where it is possible to have a bed I would always choose that option. With pots there is always the risk of drying out, they need feeding and they can look fussy. Have you tried working a fork into the soil to see if it's full of rubble? If it's not too bad you can dig in compost to improve it, rotted manure too, if you can get it. Beds look more natural to me. Also I hope you live in a good neighbourhood, pots in front gardens risk getting nicked.
hi Busy-Lizzie
nah they are safe, good quiet neighbour so will be fine.
I think I will will stick with pots for at least 2 more years, learn what I like and also dabbling with growing flower from seed with an electric propogator, so lets see how that develops first.
Going to extend the back area that is membraned though, want 4 huge pots for tree lillies (due in a few weeks)
Also thinking about adding 2 x 180cm x 180cm trellis to the back wall.......... but I want a cold frame too...... ooooo so easy to spend £££ without realising lol
Well done Peter. Always good to find a new hobby and such an enriching one like gardening.. your garden looks lovely. Watch out in a few years time that you don't put your name down for an allotment!!!
buhahaha my kids said the same about allotment lol
Thanks for the kind words.
This is enough to keep me busy for a while I think
Hi Peter. If you're into growing from seed, just you wait until next March/April. Some of us
go a bit crazy at seed sowing time
Busy Lizzie's greenhouse is an amazing sight, jam packed, wall to wall with seedlings
Just come across your post too Peter, welcome to the forum. I'm a relatively new member (and gardener) and have found that the members are all incredibly helpful and a wealth of knowledge.
Those pots certainly add colour and are a real cheery sight. As a fellow Scot, my only concern for your pots is protecting the plants over winter. If you haven't already done so can I suggest you raise them from the ground to ensure they drain away.. If the pots get water logged there is a real danger that it freezes and your plants will perish. I speak from experience as I've lost a fair few specimens in my early beginner years.
Hi Peter, just checked into this topic and saw your Night Sky petunias - which are lovely - I think they were new for this year - I was given a few from a Gardener
friend - they really stand out if mixed with white ones too. I love my containers they look so vibrant, although they take time to water regularly and I mix a feed with the water once a week.
Enjoy your garden.
Kitty - you noticed!