2 Choose your compost

Compost is all-important when planting your pots. Resist the temptation to take soil directly from a garden, as it may contain bacteria, unwanted seeds or other organisms that may be harmful to your plants. It will also lack the right nutrients your floral friends need to live in a tub. Instead, to ensure your plants have the best chance of stress-free survival, buy your compost at the garden centre. You will have a choice of three basic mixes:

•Peat-based composts hold moisture well, so require less watering. Best suited to planting annuals, they are very light, so perfect for hanging baskets. However, it's not very eco-friendly to use peat, as digging up bogs destroys natural habitats and releases carbon dioxide. Instead, choose multipurpose compost with an alternative ingredient such as coir. Try not to let these composts become parched, as they are very difficult to rehydrate once dry.

•Soil-based compost is heavier, helps draining and holds nutrients for a longer period, making it ideal for perennials that will be in the pot year after year. Good soil is called John Innes, which isn't a brand name but an original formula, and comes in different mixes suitable for various planting jobs.
•You may also need to consider ericaceous compost, which is for acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias that won't grow well in soil that contains lime.

3 Plan your drainage

The paradox of pots is that they need to be well-watered, but at the same time need plenty of drainage. If your tubs become waterlogged, the roots of the plants will rot and the plant will eventually die. To prevent this, make sure there is adequate drainage and, if not, drill some holes in your chosen vessel. Cover the bottom with pieces of broken pot or large stones. These are known as 'crocks' and prevent the compost from washing through Polystyrene chips also work well and are especially useful in larger pots where weight needs to be kept to a minimum. Also, try to stand pots on bricks or little terracotta feet if possible, to keep the drainage holes free.