Keeping containers going

Prep pots and baskets for a late summer flourish, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

OUR gardens (and us) suffered in general during July’s short, sharp heatwave, but baskets and containers found it particularly tough.

A lot of plants growing in a small space with limited access to food and water can easily become stressed and depleted so they need more care than other things growing in the garden.

This is compounded at this time of year by the gradual move towards the end of the summer, when plants have been in their containers for several weeks and may be running out of steam.

But with a bank holiday waiting in the wings and the chance of an Indian summer, it is a good idea to keep pots and baskets in good order for as long as we can – and it isn’t difficult to do.