Growing plants in pots means you can enjoy a colorful garden all year round. You can switch out plants as the seasons change, decorating your doorstep, balcony, patio or paths with cheerful, vibrant blooms whatever the weather.
Monty Don has pointed out that it's particularly important to feed your plants when container gardening, and to resist the temptation of giving them too many additional nutrients.
Just like over-watering your best indoor plants, you can also risk giving the plants in your garden too much love, preventing them from developing lovely flowers.
Monty Don's container gardening tip
Writing on his blog, the Gardener's World host explains that plants grown in pots exhaust the nutrients from the compost in which they were originally planted in as they grow. The gardening expert says that for the rest of the summer, they will therefore need a 'regular supplementary feed.'
Consistency is the key thing here, so try to make feeding your plants a weekly routine to really get the benefit. You can set a reminder on your device, or add it to your list of weekend gardening jobs.
The amount of feed is also crucial, as Monty Don explains. 'The secret is to give just enough - and not too much,' he says.
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'Too many nutrients is as damaging as too few, as it causes rapid, lush growth - often at the expense of flowers or fruit - and which attracts extra fungal and predatory problems.' While you avoid weed problems when container gardening, pests like slugs and snails can still make their way to your plants.
Follow the instructions on the feed packet and don't add more than necessary. Your plants will thank you for it, and you'll be rewarded with a stunning display.
For inspiration on a new layout for your plot this summer, take a look at our garden design ideas. Moving all of your pots into one place and arranging them in a different way can make the space feel new, without needing to buy anything.
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As for the kind of feed to go for, Monty Don recommends anything high in potash, to encourage root and flower formation. Alternatively, try liquid seaweed or a proprietary liquid tomato feed.
