General Comments:
Watering:
Container gardens and window boxes need to be watered. Unfortunately, the plants will die if they are not watered. In general, water about twice per week.
To check soil conditions, press your finger an inch or two (3-5cm) into the soil. If it's damp, no need to water for a while. In the height of summer it may be necessary to water every day. Another method is to lift the box up slightly at one corner. If it's very light, give it a good watering! Often, rain alone is not enough to water your box thoroughly enough especially in the summer.
A note on over watering:
Over watering container gardens and window box is another peril for plants as it can drown and damage plant roots. Use the above tips to ensure that you are not over watering your boxes! This is very important.
Extreme Conditions:
On very hot days, if possible, move plants out of direct sunlight and avoid watering when there is hot direct sunlight – the water will magnify the rays and potentially singe the plants. Therefore, at the height of summer it is best to water in the evening. Moving plants towards warmer areas or indoors during frosty periods will help sustain them.
A Note on Dead Heading:
During Spring and Summer many of our plants display beautiful flowers. If these die, simply remove them. The plant will then put its energy elsewhere and mo
Comments for Specific Ready Planted Window Boxes:
Herbie on the Sill:
The plants in your 'Herbie on the sill' need to dry out somewhat between waterings. Use the above tips to check soil conditions. If it's damp, no need to water for a while.
General Note-
Many herbs grow quickly and can look untidy. Trim lightly and use regularly during spring and summer. Try cutting leggy, untidy plants to the ground between spring and autumn and they may grow back.This will not work with lavender, rosemary, and other woody stemmed herbs. Some herbs are short lived, perhaps 3 - 5 years.
Dig out and replace these individually.
Do not purchase new herb pots
from a supermarket, as these never seem to thrive in the wild. Buy them from a garden centre or market.
Feed every six weeks with a general liquid feed eg; Phostrogen, baby bio, during spring and summer only.
Sage- Pinch out and use the tips to keep it bushy. Don’t take too many leaves at once, or the plant won’t be able to feed itself. Don’t cut into woody stems.
Parsley- Snip off and use the outer leaves first. Don’t take too many leaves at once.
Rosemary- Trim and use the soft growing tips. You can lightly trim the plant up to four times in late spring and summer to keep it neat & bushy. Don’t trim into woody stems or after august if you wish it to flower in spring.
Coriander- Snip off and use the outer leaves first. Don’t take too many leaves at once.
Lemon thyme – trim an inch off the top every now and then, for kitchen use
Buxus Sphere:
Upon collection of your plant(s), water well. Thereafter water once per week, ensuring you water thoroughly. Feed every six weeks with a general liquid feed eg; Phostrogen, baby bio.
To trim the plant to the desired shape-
Time: May and August.
First, water the leaves with a watering can, or after a shower, and trim using long sharp scissors or sharp garden shears. It’s quite easy and rather fun! You could start trimming it into any shape you can imagine..
Bay tree:
Upon collection of your plant(s), water well. Thereafter water once per week, ensuring you water thoroughly. Feed every six weeks in spring and summer with a general liquid feed eg; Phostrogen, baby bio
Bay trees should be trimmed in late spring and late summer. Cut to shape just above a leaf.
It can be attacked by ‘Bay sucker’, causing thickend and distorted leaves. Badly affected shoots can be pruned out in winter. This will encourage new growth in the spring and may remove some overwintering adults. If you wish,
spray the plant's leaves with ‘provado ultimate bug killer ready to use’ and don’t pick or use the leaves for two weeks.
Sunny bloombox:
When you first receive it, water well. Place in your sunniest spot. Thereafter water twice per week, ensuring you water thoroughly. Feed every six weeks with a general liquid feed eg; Phostrogen, baby bio.
Fuchsia- Pinch out any long stems at the tip
Geranium – snip off dead flowers at the base of the stalk.
Trailing plants: As flowers die, gently ‘dead head’ beneath the flower head.
Lavender Box:
Upon collection of your box, water well. Place in your sunniest spot. Thereafter water once per week, ensuring you water thoroughly. Feed every six weeks with a general liquid feed eg; Phostrogen, baby bio in spring and summer.
Trim an inch or two of the soft new growth in early april and early may to a rounded shape, then let it flower.
Trim off and keep the flowers once they’ve dried out. Don’tcut into old woody stems.
By Tom O'Leary
Tom is a garden expert with years of experience. He also writes for our little green space online magazine where you can find more essential gardening tips!
Last Updated: May 28, 2009