Something old, something new

Save money by refurbishing existing patio containers

ONE of my main jobs this week has been replenishing a large patio pot that I planted in late spring with a mixture of seasonal bedding and woody fragrant herbs.

While the bedding is well past its best, the sage and thyme have plenty of life in them so instead of composting the whole lot I patched the pot with a few new plants.

After composting the dead plants I removed the top few inches of old compost, replacing it with fresh growing media mixed with some Growmore.

I then planted around the remaining herbs, adding a striking pink and gold Calibrachoa ‘Starlight Pink’, a trailing striped petunia ‘King of Hearts’ and a sweet white Scaveola ‘White Whirlwind’, before watering the pot well.

At this time of year you are likely to find that some of the bedding sold in garden centres and supermarkets is past its best but it should, perk up and last well given some care and attention.

Stand your plants in water for a good 30 minutes before planting to rehydrate their roots and deadhead vigorously to encourage the production of more flower buds.