Planting a summer pot - part 1

Planting a Summer Pot - Part 1

Learn how to create a beautiful summer and how to mix your compost and lay out your plants in the pot.

Arthur is leaving the roots in the pots because he wants the roots to stay in the soil and rot down, adding humus to the compost. He's not bothering with pulling the root material out. The soil in this pot looks a bit spent and needs replenishment.

Compost & Drainage

He already has grit and gravel, helping to create better drainage. He's fluffed the compost up, helping to allow some aeration. Air is great as it encourages good root growth. Arthur adds a peat-free compost mix. His personal preference is New Horizon Peat-Free Compost, which you can buy here.

Arthur finds that compost for vegetables is great for dahlias and hungry plants. He also adds garden soil as it contains all the nutrients and beneficial fungi. Make sure the plants are healthy and not struggling for nutrients.

Mixing Your Compost

Arthur adds about four generous handfuls of the compost. He uses GrowChar seed which is made from seaweed and worm casts and contains lots of nutrients like nitrogen and potassium which are all great for strong healthy growth.

He leaves about an inch at the top of the pot, so when he comes to water this pot there's enough space for the water to collect and soak down. If he was to fill it to the very top of the pot it would be really hard to water. It is much better to have a lip that allows a good, generous bucket of water to be put on the pot when it comes to watering it.

Laying Out the Plants in the Pot

The main stars of this pot are two varieties of single dahlias, 'Bishop of York' and 'Waltzing Matilda'. The thing about dahlias is that you need to be very careful that you aren't overwatering them. If you lift your pots and they feel heavy, that's a sign that you don't need to water them.

If you want a nice low-maintenance perennial pot, buddleias always look great and are fantastic. When dead-heading the buddleias, I take them back to the middle point; it just helps with the shape of the plant.

Plant Directory

Salvia

• Viridis 'Blue'

Foliage

• 'Buzz Buddleia'
• 'Bronze Fennel'

Dahlias

• 'Bishop of Dover'
• 'Waltzing Matilda'
• 'Bishop of York'