Weekly garden tip

Week Commencing: 31/08/09

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE GARDEN GATE...

Keep your hanging baskets and container displays looking good until the first frosts, with a little timely care and attention:-

• Maintain even moisture for continual growth and flowering. Drought "stressed" plants go-over quicker - use water-retaining gel, line baskets with plastic to prevent water-loss and incorporate a "reservoir" at the base of generous-sized containers when planting. NOTE: Once dry, multi-purpose compost can be particularly difficult to re-wet.

• Feed regularly - apply a general-purpose liquid fertilizer each week, beginning 4-6 weeks after planting (following manufacturer's guidelines) or mix slow-release fertilizer granules with the compost when planting, and water on demand.

• Deadhead regularly - save plants wasting energy producing seed, by channelling growth into flower production instead. Remove spent blooms every couple of days.

• Keep watch for pests and pick off yellowing leaves - tackle outbreaks straight away and remove fallen leaves, before they lead to fungal infection.

• Refresh and rejuvenate - plant for successive flowering, swap-out and replace tired, over-blown or end-of-season individuals, with fresh, well-chosen plants and bulbs that will make your containers look as good as new!