When planting up your wooden planters
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It is best to line the inside of the planters with a waterproof membrane to prolong the integrity of you planter. Polythene sheeting is ideal for this but please ensure that you leave openings in the bottom of the sheet to prevent the plant medium from becoming waterlogged. Place a stone or piece of broken pottery over the openings. Once the planter is lined start filling with a suitable potting compost. It is best to fill the planter in layers firming as you go. The level of the planting medium once firmed should be 2,5cm below the upper rim.
Part fill the planter with compost mix. Place your plants in the planter while still potted up to experiment with final placement.
Remove plants from their pots, loosening the roots at the base of each root ball. Place in final positions in the planter firming more potting medium around them.
Check the final soil level; it should be 2,5cm below the planter rim to keep water from running off. Water your planter well initially with gentle spray until water runs out the bottom and keep to a watering schedule. Also feed regularly with a liquid feed. Pick only healthy plants from local garden centres and nurseries. Mail order plants require more time to grow and flower. Do not select plants with withered leaves, wilting, yellowing, straggly growth or obvious signs of pests. To lengthen your planter season choose healthy flowering plants in bud. Do not choose plants in full bloom when first planting. Planters add style and colour to your home and garden. Build drama with large planters and over-sized plantings at the start or end of a path.
Things you will need when planting up your planters
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- Stones or broken pottery
- Choice of plants
- Trowel
- Watering can
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Planter Type and Positioning:
Determine the type of planter you'd like. Formal painted Planters or unpainted Planters each create different statements in the garden or on a patio. Create a feeling of outdoor rooms using custom planters styled to suite your home.
Positioning your planter is important for plant choices. Find the position your planter will occupy and check the type of sun at that location throughout the day. Assess the amount of wind in the area of the planter.
Planting Design
Draw your basic planting plan on a sheet of paper with plants you would like to use represented at mature size. Use it as a guide to ensure all your choices will fit your planter box when full grown. Use a good book if you're not sure of any plant's eventual size. Remember that your planter will be seen from all sides unless placed against a wall so place tall plants in the middle.
Planter Gardens, use three basic plant forms to create a dynamic design. Mix tall, round and trailing plants for lasting eye appeal. Put plants next to each other when choosing at nurseries or garden centres to see how the plants look when grouped together.
Think about the flowering season and bloom colouring for your design. Flowering season is short for some annuals so consider a mix of annuals and perennials. You can also lengthen the flowering season of your planter by including bulbs.
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