Pottering about in the front garden a couple of days ago, a passer by stopped to admire the garden. Always pleasant to spend a bit of time with someone who shares your interest. Talking with him, he informed us that an old neighbour of his had told him that the secret of really good hanging baskets was all down to getting the watering right.
well he wasn’t wrong, but feeding also plays a large part in the success. If you rely solely on the feeding that was in the compost when planting up, you will find that by late July flowering will become a bit sparse. To save yourself any trouble getting the feeding regime right, when planting up your baskets add the slow release granules, (Osmicote) this will take care of the nutrients your plants require right through till late September, or maybe even longer.
Back to the watering, now if you live in London,especially during this recent heatwave you could well find yourself having to water twice each day. Here in Aberdeen by early July when the baskets are becoming pretty well root bound you will most likely get away with watering once every two days, don’t hold back ,absolutely flood the basket. Even here in the north east if the weather is getting hotter than usual, or if it has been windy, it would be wise to check each day.
Everyone loves Begonias, one which we think is very special is (Champagne) a trailing double with a colour that reflects its name.
Begonia Champagne
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