size of pot

hi
this probably sounds a daft question but if i am transfer plants to bigger pot how big should this be?
some advice seems to be one or two sizes bigger but that would mean repotting regularly (assuming the plants do grow)
can i pot straight into a big pot?
ive been offered some plants for garden but haven't actually got garden ready for them so I planned to pot up for now, and plant out in spring (unless we get an indian summer and I can put them in very late autumn?)
I really enjoy gardening but haven't a clue what im doing so everything is pot luck.

 

Never a daft question @McTavish14 Ideally you need to go up one or two pot sizes ,I know it sounds like a bit of faffing but they will grow better..If the pot is too big they will just languish and 'sit around' which is something you don't want ,once those roots touch the sides they'll get stronger .

 

I often go up two pot sizes, I find just one makes it difficult to get the compost around the rootball from the old pot.
At this time of year it is especially best not to overpot, things will be slowing down from here on, so dont overdo it.

 

I agree with lolimac and Pete.....this fence is a bit sharp!
It depends on the plants What plants are they? Many plants can be divided now and put into individual pots
Also on how big the roots look to you.....don’t squash the roots in but don’t put small roots into a large pot.
In addition, if it’s a temporary measure it doesn’t matter too much .....it’s just a holding process before you plant out.

 

Often perennial plants do better if you can plant them in the autumn, assuming that your soil is not too waterlogged. It gives them a chance to get their roots down, and established over the winter and spring, and so they are better able to cope with any dry spells in the summer.
With dryer summers becoming more commonplace, spring planting no longer works for me, even though that’s when most plant sellers offer their best selections...