At our May meeting , Wanda very ably demonstrated how to plant a successful hanging basket, the beautiful results of which can be seen left. Wanda’s tips included:

– use a basket liner – either purchased ready made or cut from eg coconut matting material – but don’t trim this until the basket is full

– cover the bottom of the basket with a double layer of black plastic to aid water retention

• –  add chicken manure fertiliser pellets and  water retaining granules  into the compost then water  well before putting this mix into the basket to approx a third/half level

– plant the basket top and sides with a mixture of desired plants such as calabrattia, trailing fuschia, lobetia, lysimachia nummularia, and glechoma. When fully planted, fill the basket with more compost and then cover the compost with damp sphagnum moss to reduce evaporation and absorb more water. Drench the basket with water before hanging up – a pulley is  a useful aid to easier watering but is not essential.

At our June meeting we discussed growing herbs. Mediterranean herbs such as basil and rosemary enjoy being in poor quality/used compost and kept on the dry side, in full sun wherever possible. To prevent herbs mixing in to each other in a large pot, several members recommended planting smaller pots of each herb within a bigger pot. Basil should not be allowed to flower and if  planted around tomatoes,  discourages bugs 

We discussed timing of watering; this should not be carried out in full sun as this stresses the plant and can lead to it’s failure; early morning/ late evening is best . Lawns should not be watered (unless they are going to be drenched by a continuous sprinkler system until fully soaked) as this will only wet the surface and will encourage the roots to turn upwards

June jobs

• Feed plants including fruit and vedg and don’t allow baskets or pots to dry out:   Sulphate of potash will encourage flowers and fruit.  Nitrogen feeds leaves.   Phosphates support good root growth
• Weed frequently making sure roots are broken eg by using a hoe
• Watch for sawflys, lily beetles and other bugs and remove/spray to eradicate
• Continue making compost
• Late summer flowering plants such as rudbekkia and also salad plants can be planted out
• Prune shrubs after fruit/flowers are finished
• Plant tender annuals such as zinnias
• Stake climbing vedg with pea sticks
• Do the ‘Chelsea chop’ to encourage a second flowering round
• Take softwood cuttings