Since containers are larger than pots and usually more permanent (a home to plants for months or sometimes years); they a need a special ‘growing medium’. The ideal mix combines the following.
- Compost, either home-made or bought organic, peat-free potting compost.
- Good quality ‘topsoil’, either bought or from a spare pile in your garden from digging out paths or a stack of rotted grass turves.
The topsoil is fertile and moisture retentive, but alone compacts too much. The compost ‘lightens’ the soil and boosts fertility, but alone can dry out quickly and is difficult to re-wet. The soil also adds weight so tall plants are less likely to topple over in windy weather.
Feeding plants in containers
As plants in containers are relatively restricted compared to plants in open soil, they benefit from added fertiliser (more often for hungrier plants). Try liquid organic feeds like ‘comfrey’; either make your own or buy from the Organic Gardening Catalogue. For more permanent planting, like fruit trees, replace the top 5cm of soil annually with home-made compost (‘top-dressing’).
Watering containers
Keep the growing medium in containers moist, but not wet. Water every day in hot or dry weather (often twice). Plants will also need more water when in flower or fruit and in windy weather. Check whether you need to water outdoor containers even after rain, as dense foliage and ‘rain-shadows’ from buildings can stop water reaching them. Water under the foliage to reach the roots rather than leaves. Wet leaves can be scorched in sunny weather.
Be careful when handling containers, empty and full. Follow safe practice for handling soil, eg cover open wounds; wear gloves if necessary; wash hands; keep tetanus vaccinations up to date.
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