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Gardening Tips

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Gardening can be a fantastic leisure activity which has great rewards, particularly for your health and well being. New gardeners are often put off by the technical aspect and long botanical names. The basics of gardening are the first important steps, once you have these mastered, then gardening becomes second nature. Learn from other gardeners, they are always happy to share their experiences. Here are a few pointers:-

1. Soil type

There are three basic soil types, these are; sand, silt and clay. If you are not sure about your soil type, ask another local gardener or local garden centre. Once you know what you have, then you can add the correct ingredients to help your garden thrive.

2. Organic fertiliser and compost

Organic fertilisers, compost and mulching materials improve the nutrient level and encourage soil microbes and worms which are important to the soil and plants. Man-made fertilisers have their place, but nothing beats organic so make your own compost. Don’t throw away your kitchen scraps, recycle them and start a worm farm, worm juice is magic for gardens or a compost heap. Your compost can be dug into your garden bed at any time of the year.

3. Mulching your garden

Mulch is fantastic for many reasons. It keeps the soil moist in dry weather, so ensure the lay of mulch is thick enough so it helps reduce evaporation. Mulch also prevents weed growth as weeds compete for moisture. Mulch also improves the soil as it decomposes. Any type of mulch is better than none but sugarcane mulch, lucerne mulch, straw, tea-tree or bark mulch are all available.

Gaura combination planting

4. Plant choice

Plant the right plant in the right place – if you are not sure, then ask for help. Planting plants together with similar water and light requirements will help you succeed and grow a great garden.

5. Pruning

**If a plant is too tall for us to pack we will carefully prune it to fit the packaging. This will not effect the plant at all and it will shoot and continue to flourish once planted in your garden**

Sometimes it is difficult to know when to prune plants. Traditionally perennials are pruned at the end of winter/beginning of spring when new shoots are starting to grow. If you have larger trees or shrubs, then don’t let them get over grown until they get too large to trim back. When pruning, cut these into small pieces and place in the compost bin where these can decompose over time. Flowering plants can be pruned during the season to encourage re-blooming. By removing spent flowers from flowering plants this will prolong the flowering season of perennials. You will have another flush of flowers as a result.

6. Watering

** Make sure you water your plants when they are delivered**

Once planted, long deep watering is the key for healthy plants. By applying water for a long period slowly, you encourage the roots to grow deeper into the soil. Short shallow watering results in roots being close to the surface resulting in the plant drying out in dry times or windy weather.

7. Pests and diseases

Healthy plants means less chance of pest and diseases but if you do have a problem, learn to identify them. Spraying with chemicals is not always the first action to take as there are softer option available such as removing by hand or using some fantastic organic sprays which are much better for the environment and you. You must always read the manufacturer’s directions when applying chemicals and fertilisers and wear the correct protective clothing. 

How To Plant

Please plant your Planters Patch plants into the garden within a few days. Make sure you water them when they are delivered. We are having a very hot summer and this may effect your plants a little during delivery. We make sure your plants are watered before they leave us so please rehydrate them when you receive them.

The plants must be well watered before planting. Prepare the soil adding compost and dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball. For the depth, place the ball of the plant into the prepared hole and make sure that the top of the plants soil level is kept at the same level of the area you are planting. Fill your hole full of water and let it drain away prior to planting.

Please take care when removing plants from the pot. Make sure that the root ball is intact when removing from the pot. If it is stubborn, squeeze the root ball through the pot and push upwards from the bottom, this should loosen the root ball. Then tip upside down placing the main stem between your fingers to remove the pot. Place the plant in the hole and fill around with your soil/compost lightly pushing larger air pockets from around the new plant. Leave a 2-4cm deep saucer shape around the plant to collect moisture when you water. Water in well, repeat again after the water has soaked away. Use a wetting agent when planting out new plants during the warmer weather.

MULCH – We recommend mulching around plants to help keep in the moisture and the weeds away.

FERTILISER - Sprinkle a measured amount of slow release fertilizer, decomposed cow manure or chicken manure.

Happy Gardening!

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