Large pots and a Belfast sink. What to do with them?!

[PinkDaydreams]

Hello!
I have two large pots in my front garden under the window. I’m wondering what I can do with them please to try jazz up the front?!
I’ve had lavender in them before but ended up killing it as I’m hopeless at gardening. They currently have windmills in

The Belfast sink has no plug. That’s currently out the back doing nothing at all, it has been for a number of years! I keep thinking I’ll do something with it but I’m that useless at gardening that I’ve no idea what to do. Something none living would probably be safest!

[QuaterMiss]

I used to have a miniature wildflower garden in an old Belfast sink! Mostly poppies and cornflowers, but with a jasmine that grew up the adjacent wall. Can’t remember what grew in it over winter.

Speaking of pots (I used to use broken bits to improve drainage in the sink) you could always buy a couple of bay trees for yours if you aren’t keen on day to day maintenance.

[PinkDaydreams]

Thank you for the replies! Honestly I’m hopeless at gardening! Inside I have artificial as I seem to either drown everything or dry it out!

[PinkDaydreams]

I like the idea of a mini pond! The only space I have to put it though is by the back door and very shaded. Will it survive in shade?

[NanTheWiser]

Well, old sinks are often planted with alpine plants (used to have a few myself). It could be planted with half a dozen little gems, which can be appreciated all the more for being raised up. Plants such as encrusted saxifrages, thrift, and maybe autumn gentian, all tiny beauties! And reasonably easy, given a gritty, well drained soil mix.

[PinkDaydreams]

I’ve probably chosen the wrong time of year to do this haven’t I?!

[cakeandchampagne]

Lavender can be difficult- don’t blame yourself.

[RavenLG]

We found a belfast sink in our garden. It had been dipped in this weird concrete type stuff, wasn't until we moved it and it crumbled we realised and was able to chip it all off (why would anyone do that to a belfast sink!!?). Following with interest as we weren't sure what to do with it either. We we're thinking of putting mint in it as it keeps it contained (and we have guinea pigs who go mad over the stuff).

[NanTheWiser]

@RavenLG, the previous owner had coated it in hyper tufa (a mix of cement and peat). This is often done to make it appear like an old stone trough. I have done this myself many years ago, when I grew alpines in old sinks. Hope that answers your question.

[RavenLG]

@nanthewiser ahhh thank you! Just had a quick google. There are two other small planters that have the hypertufa on too but they look ok. I just think Belfast sinks are beautiful so to cover the up is a waste imo lol. Thanks for answering a question than had been lingering all summer!

[cwg1]

Autumn is a great time of year for planting perennials.. The ground's very workable (though that obviously doesn't apply to pots) and they can settle in ready to go next spring. Also the time for planting spring bulbs, of course and sowing wildflowers - autumn is when they naturally sow themselves, of course.

A bit of autumn gardening keeps you warm as toast as well Remember, only mad dogs and english people go out in the midday sun

[thenewname]

If it’s in shade and has bad drainage try these?

www.sarahraven.com/flowers/plants/container-plants/native-fern-collection.htm?productid=6065&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjPSoxJKa5QIVibbtCh1dBQ4mEAQYASABEgJ3tvD_BwE

[thenewname]

I planted them in a dark shaded depressing corner in a planter last spring and they have grown loads and look amazing.

[PinkDaydreams]

Good idea! My mum used to have ferns planted and I remember those doing very well!

[MereDintofPandiculation]

I just think Belfast sinks are beautiful so to cover the up is a waste imo lol. The hypertufa thing became popular in the 60s. At the time too many people were desperate to replace their chipped Belfast sinks by an easier to look after stainless steel one for it to be easy for people to see the beauty in them.

As a general rule, the stuff your mother bought is ugly and valueless, the stuff your grandmother bought is beautiful, and you cannot comprehend why your mother should have got rid of it

[thenewname]

@nanthewiser that sounds beautiful (the alpines). Do they need sun or will they be sad in too much rain? (live in Ireland).

[NanTheWiser]

@thenewname, yes, they will need a sunny spot I'm afraid. Because they are usually mountain dwellers, they receive high light levels, which keep them compact. Also, very good drainage, which can be achieved by mixing in high levels of grit into the planting mix.

[NanTheWiser]

This is a pic taken last summer of an old ceramic shower tray coated in hypertufa planted up with succulents. They aren't hardy, and I'll need to dig them up soon before the frosts and overwinter them in the greenhouse.

[ppeatfruit]

I'd plant some bulbs in your pots. Maybe plant a 'lasagne" pot which is putting the late flowering ones at the near base [ add more compost] and the smaller,early flowering, ones at the top. I f you see what I mean Apart from watering when they re planted and when you see buds they don't need much work.

[PinkDaydreams]

I will sound silly now, but do bulbs need replanting every year?

[ppeatfruit]

Well after they've flowered, they don't look lovely but if you cut off the flower head then wait till the leaves have browned (so the goodness goes back into the bulb). You can take them out and leave then somewhere dark and airy ( I put them in brown paper bags or those string bags that you get veg. from the shops in sometimes) Then plant them back in the pot next year, or in the garden. (when they're in the garden they don't need taking up) .

It sounds complicated but it isn't really. If your pots are in the sun then put pelargoniums\geraniums in the summer. Though you say you killed a lavender which is hard to do if it was in the sun. !!

[ppeatfruit]

I' ve done it for years though admittedly since the children have grown up!