You have the pots, so now all you need to do is plant them up! Planting in pots couldn’t be easier; all you need is the pot, plants, good quality potting mix, drainage material and slow-release fertiliser. The following are a few extra hints and tips to make the job as effortless as possible.

Step 1:
Place a single layer of drainage screen directly over the drain hole. This will keep the large soil particles contained and only allow smaller fine particles to flow through. Don’t use filter geo fabric, silt mesh or weed mat. This will cause the soil to become waterlogged, causing the plant and pot to fail.

Step 2:
Once you have chosen the final location for your pots, place three to four pot feet on the ground and position the pot on top, ensuring they don’t cover the drainage holes. Elevating the pots on the pot feet ensures that water can freely drain out of the bottom of the pot. It also stops a ‘ring’ mark from being left on the ground.

Step 3:
Cover the piece of drainage screen with a good quality potting mix and fill the pot to the desired level and gently compact the layers. Please note that you do not need to install drainage aggregate such as gravel in the bottom of the pot. All this does is reduce the amount of soil available for the plant. Use a good quality potting mix to ensure adequate drainage. It’s essential not to use regular garden soil as the plant and pot will become waterlogged and fail.

Step 4:
Carefully remove the plant from its nursery pot. If the plant is in a nursery pot try pushing it out from the base. Alternatively, if the plant is difficult to release, you may need to cut the pot open using secateurs. When planting, you must ensure the potting mix soil sits at the same level as the soil in the nursery pot. This means ensuring the plant stem/crown is not covered at all. It’s a good idea to water right after you plant as the soil will settle. You may then need to go back and top up the soil as it may depress after watering. Lastly, spread some slow-release fertiliser on top of the soil. This will provide your plants with the nutrients it requires to thrive.