Parish News - Cotton Parish

Just Gardening
The weather has been very poor this year. The day after a hose pipe ban
was introduced it seemed to start raining and doesn't appear to have
stopped since. Along with the wet period we've had some low night time
temperatures. Young tender plants could have suffered as a result.
However, there is a good supply of bedding plants available in the Garden
Nurseries for your borders.
Try planting out hanging baskets, fill them with plenty of plants and locate
them in strategic places throughout the garden. A colourful flowering
basket hanging from an apple tree or other structure will draw your eye to
another level in the garden and give interest.
One or two tips to be considered: firstly, don't put the baskets in a position
where you can walk into them and bang your head when thinking about
other matters relating to your garden, secondly, position them for easy
access and allow for watering. I use a fine rose on my watering can.
Hanging baskets will need watering every day and twice a day in the hot
weather, if it ever arrives. I water my hanging baskets early morning and
late evening. Any other time the water tends to run off and evaporate not
doing any good for the plants. Also there is a chance of scorching the
leaves. Once the hanging baskets become established they will need a
good feeding. There are limited nutrients available for the plants, in the
basket planting medium, so we have to provide it.
Try a variety of Pelargonium, or Fuchsia in the centre of the basket. Then
plant multi-coloured Verbena around the centre plant and hanging over
the edge of the basket plant trailing dark blue Lobelia and white alyssum.
You can also plant through the moss lining of the basket, ensuring the
plant roots are in the basket soil and this will give you a complete covering
of flower and colour. Don't let your baskets dry out and don't forget to feed
them. If these simple rules are followed you will be amazed with the
success you will have and your hanging baskets will be a talking point.
Happy Gardening.
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