Innehållsförteckning för Creative Containers 2023 från BBC Gardeners' World

Growing bulbs in containers is one of the easiest ways to bring spring colour into your garden. Simply plant a few in a pot, forget about them over winter and they’ll emerge without fuss in the spring. To guarantee a spectacular display, you need to plant your bulbs in the autumn – ideally, plant daffodils by the end of September and tulips in November. You can then add bedding plants or perennials to the pot in spring to complete the look. 1 Plant bulbs at a depth of three times their height. Group together but leave a space to add spring-bought plants later on 2 Cover bulbs with multi-purpose compost with added grit to a few cms below the rim. Firm so that there are no air pockets. 3 Water well…

Preparation is key to creating perfect baskets. Take the time to plant it up right and you’ll be rewarded with months of flowers to brighten your garden or front entrance. Hanging baskets need to be watered regularly, so it’s important to look for ways of retaining moisture – either buy a lined basket, or line it yourself with an old compost bag. For the best displays, feed your plants and deadhead frequently to keep the blooms coming. 1 Cut holes in the plastic liner to allow easy drainage, and if there’s no in-built water reservoir, pop a small plastic saucer in the bottom. 2 Fill with multi-purpose compost mixed with perlite to improve aeration. Add slow-release fertiliser granules when planting. 3 Position tall plants in the centre of the basket and…

At this time of year, it’s more important than ever to have plenty of vibrant container displays. To create planting combinations that brighten up a dull winter day, look for plants with bright red berries, vivid stems that stand out, and variegated foliage that will catch any available light. There are also many that will flower even when it’s cold – fill pots with snowdrops, hellebores and winter bedding. Embrace the bauble-like berries of gaultheria, scarlet stems of cornus and glossy green holly leaves – just a few of the fantastic plants to look for this season. There are also winter-flowering shrubs such as heathers, skimmia and viburnum that will add structure to pots, as well as cheery colour to your patio or doorstep. We used ➊ White winter cherry…

The best way to fit more crops into a pot is to go vertical – climbing French beans are easy to grow and a good choice if you want to grow a few different crops. With the beans planted in the centre of your pot, there’s room around the outside to grow lettuce and spinach, which will enjoy the slight shade cast by the beans. Other crops that would work well around the outside include cut-and-come-again salad leaves, quick-cropping radishes or spring onions. 1 Fill the pot with multi-purpose compost and sow the bean seeds 15cm apart in the centre in May. Sink a sturdy support firmly on top. 2 Add the ‘Lollo Rossa’ lettuce plug plants around the base of the wigwam, leaving 15cm gaps for sowing the spinach…

POTS FIBRECLAY POTS (including faux lead) The Pot Company 01892 890 353, thepotco.com Woodlodge woodlodge.co.uk (for your nearest stockist) GLAZED POTS Apta 01233 621 090, apta.co.uk (for your nearest stockist) The Pot Company 01892 890 353, thepotco.com Woodlodge woodlodge.co.uk (for your nearest stockist) METAL POTS (including galvanised, zinc, recycled and contemporary) Primrose 01189 035 210, primrose.co.uk Etsy (recycled pots) etsy.com Planters Paradise 0161 426 0207/0161 449 7900 plantersparadise.co.uk Garden Brocante 0118 940 2967, facebook.com/gardenbrocante/ PLASTIC POTS (including terracotta lookalikes) The Garden Superstore 01903 258 200, thegardensuperstore.co.uk Webbs 01527 860 000, webbsdirect.co.uk STONE POTS (including reconstituted stone) Haddonstone 01604 770 711, haddonstone.com/en-gb The Pot Company 01892 890 353, thepotco.com TorStone 01458 834 320, torstone.com TERRACOTTA POTS Apta 01233 621 090, apta.co.uk (for your nearest stockist) Pots and Pithoi 01342 714 793,…

All you need for a splash of autumn colour is a small space on a patio or doorstep. While the season conjures up images of gardens ablaze with vibrant leaf colour, you don’t need a large canvas for big impact. You can bring the fiery shades of autumn into your space with a well-planted container that will look good into winter. Our patios and doorsteps are bursting with colour during the summer months, but often look dull during autumn without bright bedding to boost the display. But with some considered plant shopping it’s possible to create striking containers that will provide interest for months. Take your pick from an array of textural grasses, late flowers, glossy evergreens and berrying shrubs, which can all be transferred into borders come spring. We…

For an easy way to make an impact in winter, fill window boxes with festive-inspired planting. This display will not only brighten up your entrance, but also provide interest over the whole season. Whatever style of box you choose, make sure your containers have plenty of drainage holes – the plants won’t thrive if they’re sitting in soggy compost. Don’t add fertiliser as over the winter the plants aren’t actively growing so they won’t take up nutrients. 1 Put polystyrene in the base, so less compost is needed. To protect the wood, line with an old compost bag, with holes for drainage. 2 Fill with multi-purpose compost. You’ll need to refresh the compost every six months if you’re leaving the window box planted all year. 3 Place trailing plants near…

Six special editions to collect for great gardening results On sale now… Creative Containers Beginner Basics Grow Your Own with four packs of seeds worth £8.55 Small Space Gardening with four packs of seeds, worth £9.20 Coming up… Creative Christmas Out 7 September Year Planner 2024 Out 2 November Available to buy in selected supermarkets, WHSmith, local stores and online at GardenersWorld.com/gw-special-editions (while stocks last)…

Pots, hanging baskets and window boxes need daily watering during summer, sometimes twice a day in hot spells. The best time to water is in the early morning or evening, when the water won’t evaporate as quickly. This job is vital for keeping your plants looking their best. Here’s how to make it quicker and easier. Add moisture-retaining granules These are especially useful in hanging baskets and containers, which need daily watering during the summer months. Add the granules to the compost when you’re planting up a container or basket to help the compost retain water. Use a drip system These comprise a system of small tubes and nozzles, which deliver water to individual plants or pots. You can adjust the amount of water coming from each nozzle. Group pots…

Spring containers should be bursting with bulbs, early-flowering perennials or even evergreen shrubs that will produce flowers to brighten the garden while the days are still cool. For a cheering splash of colour, nothing beats spring-flowering bulbs in pots. If you haven’t had time to plant in autumn, buy bulbs in pots at the garden centre to plant for instant impact. They’re easy to grow, low maintenance and guaranteed to put on a show. When putting plants together choose flowers and foliage in complementary or contrasting shades for maximum impact. If you are planting in autumn, why not try planting bulbs in layers, topped with choice shrubs, perennials and bedding, known as ‘lasagne planting’ for a succession of blooms. We used ➊ Tulip ‘Yokohama’ x 8 ➋ Carex ‘Evergold’ x 2…

Summer is the perfect time to plant up containers with bedding, long-flowering perennials and shrubs that will fill your patio with colour for months on end. Planting hanging baskets, window boxes and pots is easy with our container recipes – there are so many ways to transform an entrance or patio. If you’re looking for simple options, there are plenty of plants such as lavender or flowering shrubs that will make a focal point on their own, while floriferous bedding and stalwart perennials such as erysimum or hardy geraniums will keep blooming for weeks if your pots are kept well watered. For pots placed next to doorways, look for scented plants and include a mix of upright and trailing varieties to soften the edge of the pots. We used ➊…

To get the best performance from your containers, preparation is key. Use a good quality multi-purpose compost and water your plants before planting. Plants won’t grow much over winter, so pack them in for maximum instant impact. Position containers in a sheltered spot but where they can be seen and appreciated from indoors. They are at least risk from rain, wind and snow when placed close to a wall. 1 Add peat-free, multi-purpose compost to the container until two-thirds full. There’s no need to add fertiliser until spring. 2 Tip the plants from their pots and tease out the roots to help them establish. Place the tallest near the back and firm in well. 3 Add the shorter plants and check you’re happy with the overall look. Fill any gaps…

When you’re short of space in the garden, squeezing in fruit and veg can be tricky. It’s amazing how many varieties grow happily in pots, from easy-going salads, strawberries and herbs to climbing beans, peas and tomatoes. Most are good looking enough to proudly display on your patio. For the best results when combining vegetables, choose varieties that crop at similar times and enjoy the same growing conditions. Or make a feature out of a single vegetable in a pot. Choose the largest containers you have room for and pamper your veg with daily watering and regular liquid feeds for a blend of colour, texture and, above all, flavour throughout the season. We used ➊ Strawberry ‘Florence’ x 6 ➋ Approx 40cm metal bucket…

Keep plants and crops in peak condition by protecting them from the weather and pests. Carrying out a few simple jobs in winter will help get them through the cold months, while taking measures to prevent slugs, squirrels and birds from munching on your leaves, bulbs or precious crops can help ensure a good-looking container right through the growing season. Protect crops and bulbs Stop squirrels and birds from eating your bulbs and emerging seedlings by placing a piece of wire mesh over the top of your containers. This will give the plants time to get established and prevent the bigger pests feasting on young plants. Raise pots to aid drainage Compost in containers can become waterlogged during heavy autumn and winter rains. This happens when excess water is not…