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Summer containers

Summer containers

One of the most important jobs in the gardening calendar is preparing to fill your hanging baskets and tubs.  There are no boundaries to container growing which is why it has become so popular.  The only restrictions are on the size of the container but there is certainly no limit to the variety of pots and tubs - from terracotta, glazed, plastic, wicker, wooden, stone and new for 2009 is fibreglass.  Having chosen the type and size of pot or basket the next thing to decide on is the type of compost.

A good multi-purpose compost is one of quite a few types of compost available and it is the type of compost to use if you are going to feed your tubs and baskets with a liquid feed.  If you are like me however, and you forget when you have fed your baskets and tubs, then you can add a controlled release fertiliser and water gel to your multi-purpose compost.  Controlled released fertiliser is a granular fertiliser and each granule is enclosed in a polymer coating.  When the compost becomes moist during watering, water moves into the granule gradually forcing out the fertiliser.  This gradual displacement takes place over the growing season ensuring a consistent supply of nutrients for your plants.  The polymer structure will generally remain after the granule is empty.

Water gel or swell gel is another product available that can be added to multi-purpose to improve its moisture containing ability.  It comes in the form of dry crystals that are added to the compost and once it becomes wet it swells to absorb 400 times its own weight in water.  The plants roots are able to draw water from the crystals as they grow but it is still important to water your tubs and baskets regularly to replenish the gel.  Remember to follow the manufactures instruction when using watergel.

If this all sounds like hard work then there is a perfect solution.  Tub and basket compost has both watergel and a high potash feed incorporated into the compost.