compacted soil in baskets

yes

 

I think you have all the tips from our resident experts CNG .
For next year....................
Use good quality compost
Mix about 10% perlite into the compost to make it airier / looser.
Use slow release fertiliser ( hundreds and thousands )
Add water gel crystals.
Water regularly .( a bit of a pain if you have lots of containers )
Feed with tomato feed from late July to prolong flowering.

For now you are best to give them a good soak for an hour in a big plastic Trug . Trugs have about 1000 other uses in the garden so it is worth buying one or two

 

Thanks harry..I have one of them so doing it now. .any advice on the aphids ..little blighters

 

these are the insects that are covering my petunias

 

Hi CNG
I use Bayer Provado Ultimate Bug Killer , £4 from Wilkos. This should sort out your aphids on the Petunias. I use it sparingly in the garden , I don't mind the bugs having a munch at some of my plants there is enough for everyone . But they gotta keep of my petunias and dahlias !

http://www.wilko.com/insecticides pest-control/provado-ultimate-bug-killer-1l/invt/0149816?VBMST=provado

 

Hi H

I do all this when I plant up, I use a plant pot drip tray in the bottom of the basket and mix in swell jell then slow release fertiliser and a cap full of provado give it all a good mix and then the compost goes on top I dont have any problem with pests all summer.

I used John ines no 2 this year and a couple of handfuls of multi purpose just to open it up , it has worked a treat so will be doing the same next year but I only have the 4 baskets so still a lot of watering as in 1 gallon in late July / August each day once in the morning just before I jump in the car to go to work and then evening when the sun is off them

 

Thanks for the tip Harry will be purchasing this ..as I find they seem to be devouring my flowers..lol im still soaking my baskets ..3 down 1 still emerged lol

 

Keep it going CNG , it can take up to 2 years to know everything there is to know about gardening

Hi Spruce , now this is a whole new ball game to me , you mix in the Provado with the slow release and compost, the plant roots take it up .......how interesting. One to try next year ( just checked it's not April the first ) I only have 4 baskets as well ,2 in full sun for Petunias , and two for my trailing Begonias in half shade.

 

H

Just to be clear, plant pot drip tray I fill with dry swell gell and the slow release fertilizer then I pour the provado into the drip tray and give it a mix the swell jell takes up all the provado and then once thats done I put the compost in .

Spruce