Buying Plants
When you are deciding how to plant up your garden, the first thing you need to do is work out a realistic budget for the plants. You also need to consider the timeframe in which the work can be undertaken.
It is sensible to spread the planting over several seasons, for reasons of both cost and time management. You also need to work out some priorities for the planting.
If you are stocking a garden from scratch, you need to plan for (and then buy) the largest elements first. The best source of large plants is a reputable nursery, where the stock has been raised by the owners. Garden centres buy in stock from growers, but the quality is likely to vary considerably.
Having said that, a good garden centre with a high turnover of stock is probably a more reliable source of quality plants than a nursery that, for one reason or another, has begun to run down.
What to look for when buying plants
Any plant you buy must be in good condition, and the bigger the plant, the more expensive, so it is important not to waste money on diseased or damaged trees or shrubs. In addition to the health and vigour of the plant, it needs to have formed a good balanced shape, ideally with some formative training in its first seasons of growth. Strong, sturdy and bushy are generally good: weak and spindly are generally bad! But the plant’s natural habit will, to some extent, govern its form. Before you buy, check out the illustrated section of any good plant reference guide or a good website and establish what the plant you are planning to buy is supposed to look like.
Planting tips
When buying opt for odd numbers of plants, as this makes it far easier to create an attractive group.
It is always best to plant in the cooler seasons of the year, when there is less risk of the plants drying out. If you plant in autumn, it gives a full season for the plants to establish a good root system before new growth in spring.
It is always a good idea to plant herbaceous perennials in groups, so although you may wish to purchase a wide range of different plants, it is far better to limit the choices and buy several of one kind. Not only will these then form a major feature, but the effect on the garden will be more harmonious and balanced.
Problems to looks for when buying plants
Checking for pests – The first thing to do when purchasing a plant, is to scrutinize it closely for any sign of insect or larval activity. A number of pests can take hold and quickly overwhelm young plants.
Yellow leaves – This can be the result of a number of problems, such as fusarium wilt, which causes the plant to wilt and die. Also check for nutrient deficiency, and apply compost and nitrogen fertilizer.
Damaged leaves – This is most likely to be caused by pests such as mites, aphids or slugs, but could also be due to poor soil where nutrients are in short supply. If the plant is severely damaged, choose another.
Buying plants by post
A number of nurseries sell plants by post via the internet, The plants will then be sent out to you by post or courier. Although you don’t get to pick the actual plant that you buy you can save a packet and in some case return the plants free of charge if they don’t come up to scratch. Check out the list of online website where you can find plants by post.
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