Caring for your pots and plants

• How to choose garden containers
• How to pick your pots
• What type of pot material to choose
• What plants to choose
• Caring for your pots and plants

* It is usual in the summer to experience hosepipe bans that threaten to leave even the smallest areas of precious planting high and dry, so invest in a water butt that can collect water from the down pipes on your house. 

* Another option is to recycle 'grey water' from baths or washing-up, but bear in mind that water containing detergent may not be suitable for acid-loving plants.

* How often you need to water your plants depends on many exterior factors, so if in doubt, poke your finger in the compost to see whether it's too dry.

* Some composts contain moisture-retaining agents that absorb hundreds of times their own weight in water, or you can buy granules to mix into your soil that have the same effect.

* Also available are miniature irrigation systems that sit in the bottom of planters and troughs. These come in all shapes and sizes.

* For a cheap alternative, cut a plastic bottle in half and stick the neck upside down into the soil. Fill with water and it will be released gradually at root level, where it's used to best effect.

Use our product finder to find garden pots.

Visit housetohome's directory to find retailers in your local area.

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