SUMMER BASKETS AND WINDOW BOXES - "BITS AND BOBS" - 2015

Thanks for your reply Jenny, this sounds good I will have a look at the garden centre this weekend.

Thanks again!

Jeff

 

to GC @JeffNev - lovely to have you join us.

I bought a couple of window boxes last weekend for my basement windows (£2.99 from Poundstretcher) . I was able to get a tray of petunias (75p), a tray of geraniums (75p) and a tray of trailing geraniums (shocking hike in price @ £1.50!) all from Homebase. Summer bedding plants are at knockdown prices right now and *could*, given the right weather, last you right through to October and put on a healthy show. Hey, for a £3 investment in plants, I consider that a nice long flowering period at a bargain price
I have included a couple of small shrubs into mine so that all I need to do come Autumn is pull up the summer bedding, pop in some Autumn colour and all the spaces will be filled without too much effort but still have a backbone of evergreen with the shrubs.
You will need fresh compost though - any nutrients in the old stuff is long gone, plus its been exposed to all sorts of weather (and wind blown weed seeds). Stick that compost in your compost bin and buy a bag of fresh multi-purpose
The bedding plants I bought were a little on the dry side, so, I have watered them each day since and now they are looking perky and full of promise. I don't mind that they are not as "showy" right now as perhaps baskets/boxes might be which were planted in May, but, as I have already said, a good return for a little investment. Next year I will plan it better and my Tumbling Tom tomatoes will have a space in them

Keep them watered, maybe give them a diluted tomato feed each fortnight and you will be able to enjoy a pretty show with your window boxes

PS: Don't forget to post some pictures when you have them planted up so we can share in your success

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner @JeffNev

 

Thanks everyone, and I shall definitely be taking a trip to Homebase and Poundstretcher tomorrow to get started!

Jeff

 

The Nepalese Impatiens are going berserk in the front north facing window box. They are happy with this Summer as they are not sun seekers
Jenny

 

This glazed earthenware container is mighty heavy so it's on castors and can be easily turned or put in different places on the patio. Fuchsia "La Campanella" is starting to bloom at last

Jenny

 

Hi Jenny,

My La Campanella has only just started as well.

It's been weird this year as the big doubles have started before the singles and semi doubles, totally back to front.
I have 4 singles ( Auntie Jinks, Jack Shahan, Coachman and Marinka ) that I'm still waiting for.

 

The summer baskets and bowers are coming on song now A little later than normal due to poor summer.

Begonia Illumination white x 2 and Fuchsia cascade just getting into flower.



Petunia Wave and Explorer with Laurentia star flower.


Callibrachoa from our local nursery. Can't remember the names , love the one on the right !


And all of them together !

 

Hi Harry,
They're all stunning

My F. Cascade is only just starting as well. Can't complain though it didn't stop till March this year ( it was in my unheated bedroom ).

 

Not exactly a basket , but a big terracotta strawberry planter my sister gave me for my 60th. As I am totally u/s at growing fruit , it became a flower planter. This year I planted it with basically my last few plants , it turned out better than any off my "planned" containers !

Surfinia red , Calli red , nemesia , phlox mixed and I think Fuschia Eva Boerg just coming on song?

 

That's beautiful Harry

If you can do that without trying there's hope for me yet. I think I've got to stop trying so hard.

 

some impressive compositions in this thread...