To newbie gardeners the world of horticulture can seem a daunting place. Between the daily slog of summer waterings, the bewildering range of fertilisers and the cost of pots, potting mix and assorted paraphernalia which can soon start to add up, I don’t blame them.
Fortunately, there is a single tip that can slash your workload and significantly up your chances of plant growing success, not to mention cutting your garden centre bills. It really couldn’t be simpler either: just ditch the pots and plant everything in the ground. This may go against what beginners are often told – after all, there is even an industry campaign with the slogan “It starts with a pot” – and it may seem counterintuitive, as container growing can seem a smaller, simpler undertaking than tackling a whole plot. But it is generally true. Let me explain.
In comparison to the ground, containers hold substantially less growing media. This means their surface-area-to-volume ratio is far greater, which causes them to heat up and cool down far quicker than the ground. These fluctuations in temperature can damage plant roots and compromise overall growth. To make matters worse, the same applies for the rate of water loss in pots, meaning you will have to get out with the hose more. In the case of hanging baskets, this can be up to twice a day at the peak of the summer. Read More.
Fortunately, there is a single tip that can slash your workload and significantly up your chances of plant growing success, not to mention cutting your garden centre bills. It really couldn’t be simpler either: just ditch the pots and plant everything in the ground. This may go against what beginners are often told – after all, there is even an industry campaign with the slogan “It starts with a pot” – and it may seem counterintuitive, as container growing can seem a smaller, simpler undertaking than tackling a whole plot. But it is generally true. Let me explain.
In comparison to the ground, containers hold substantially less growing media. This means their surface-area-to-volume ratio is far greater, which causes them to heat up and cool down far quicker than the ground. These fluctuations in temperature can damage plant roots and compromise overall growth. To make matters worse, the same applies for the rate of water loss in pots, meaning you will have to get out with the hose more. In the case of hanging baskets, this can be up to twice a day at the peak of the summer. Read More.