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Gardening

Find tips and tricks to make your garden or allotment flourish on our Gardening forum.

Complete novice here!

50 replies

BirthdayKake · 13/05/2018 11:18

I'm sick of our garden having no colour. I painted this huge wooden planter thing that the previous owners left, but I want to put some pretty flowers in there!

How do I do it?! Can't spend a fortune... Thanks!

Complete novice here!
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Pardalis · 13/05/2018 19:45

I'm always buying the reduced to clear ones! Just a bit of repotting needed!
And remember whilst they look small when you buy them is trays (4 trays for £10 at B&Q). They spread like crazy.

GingerKitCat · 13/05/2018 20:11

I'm trying the '4 for £10' bedding/annuals from B&Q for the first time this year. The novelty is that the roots are wrapped in a permeable fabric (like a compost teabag!) that deteriorates underground to allow roots to grow through.

They've been really easy to plant, just pop them in the compost and your done, no mess!

You get 9 plants in a tray, so 36 for £10 (mix and match). I actually picked mine up for £1 a tray as they weren't shifting the deliveries quickly enough! Definitely worth seeking out a reduced section (ask staff for directions if you're brave Grin)

I have begonias, geraniums, petunias, trailing lobelia and snapdragons. I've also sowed nasturtiums to trail over the edges of my planters. You can sow these straight into compost outside, no need to start indoors.

Busy lizzies/impatiens and fuchsias are also nice. You can get packs of fuchsia plugs or Morrisons are doing bigger plants for £1 each, lots of varieties. Actually Morrisons is a good bet for bedding if you catch them on the right day. Ours has been a bit of a shambles this year, someone isn't looking after the plants/deliveries Hmm

In mg experience slugs will leave geraniums and begonias alone, the others you may need to keep an eye on. I'm guilty of using the dreaded slug pellets to protect my plants in the early stages Sad

GingerKitCat · 13/05/2018 20:13

Your trellis would look good with a climbing rose/clematis/passionflower or combination of all three! Is there decent soil under the pebbles?

Which direction does your garden face?

userxx · 13/05/2018 21:51

@Pardalis wow, your pots looks amazing. You've inspired me 👍

OrangeFluff · 14/05/2018 11:30

Agree with Ginger, I know you haven’t asked about this, but get a climber up that trellis! Will make a big difference!
Here’s my clematis this morning...

Complete novice here!
Complete novice here!
GingerKitCat · 14/05/2018 20:00

Gorgeous Orange!

BirthdayKake · 15/05/2018 08:15

Wow. These are beautiful!! I am very envious. Any last tips before I head off to the local garden centre and spend money I don't have?

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VerbenaBorensis · 15/05/2018 08:22

If you choose mint then grow in a pot on it's own and not in the ground-it spreads like wildfire and then you'll never get rid of it. I'd use a few perenniels itd cheaper in long run like others have said. Ask advice at garden centre. Happy planting!

BirthdayKake · 15/05/2018 08:22

And I get full sun in the garden from about midday!

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VerbenaBorensis · 15/05/2018 08:23

Meant don't put mint in with other plants in same pot. Smile

LIZS · 15/05/2018 08:23

To give some height you could get some sweet peas to grow up a bamboo wigwam.

BirthdayKake · 15/05/2018 11:19

So a lovely employee helped me. Explained everything I needed to know, recommended which plants and how to display them! Apparently these lot will grow and some will flower. Proud of myself :)

Complete novice here!
Complete novice here!
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LIZS · 15/05/2018 11:26

Looks lovely. Take pictures at intervals to see what flowers when.

tradervictoria · 15/05/2018 11:44

Well done, OP, for making the effort and on working with a very difficult raised bed.

What are your more long term plans for that feature?

BirthdayKake · 15/05/2018 12:21

Thanks LIZ good idea.

Long term is to keep that lot in there to grow! Apparently some will trail over the edges and some will flower. They should all survive for a while apart from the bedding plants which I can replace with winter pansies after they've died apparently. Now I just need to find the shed key and mow the lawn!

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ChishandFips33 · 15/05/2018 21:44

Looks lovely - what a difference!

It's amazing how quickly it will fill out and how proud you will feel

BirthdayKake · 16/05/2018 06:20

Aww, thanks Chish! it's like my new baby

So how long do these things take to grow?! I was checking it hourly yesterday 😂

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peridito · 16/05/2018 17:44

aah ,you're displaying all the signs of a true gardener .

You'll be amazed how fast they grow ,tho bit like a kettle it will seem as if they're doing nothing while you're watchig and then as soon as you turn your back they'll be off .

So a bit like a baby then .

BirthdayKake · 04/07/2018 10:33

Update in case anyone is interested Smile

Complete novice here!
Complete novice here!
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LIZS · 04/07/2018 10:36

Looks fab , well done. Ours is a dry patchy mess!

BirthdayKake · 04/07/2018 11:19

Oh, our four month old turf is! It's quite cold here today though

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JT05 · 04/07/2018 11:56

Wow, what a difference. I bet you’re really pleased. Start planning next year, while you enjoy this year’s plants.
Don’t forget, garden centres sell off plants cheaply in late summer, because they don’t want to overwinter them. That’s the best time to get bargains.

userxx · 04/07/2018 13:37

its looking lovely, bet you are really pleased.

concretesieve · 04/07/2018 13:45

Lovely! Well done!!

GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat · 04/07/2018 14:00

Ooh pretty!

You could add some trailing lobelia to the little gaps to soften off the edges, would fill it out nicely! Make sure the ticket says trailing not bush variety if you go this route Smile

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