Normally when I’m talking about pots, I’m referring to the ones I bring out of the cupboard every morning to make my delicious bowl of oats.  The other pots that are almost as close to my heart are the kinds you fill with plants, not breakfast.

The versatility with plant pots can’t be matched.  They’re perfect for people who already have big gardens, those who don’t, those with balconies or large patios, even indoors in sunny spaces.  What’s better than a garden you can literally pick up and move?

Planting up pots is very, very easy.  Here’s a basic how-to for getting your pots pretty.

1. Know where you will put your pots.  Is the area sunny or shady?  Maybe a bit of both?  The plants you choose need to correspond to the light.  If you’re uncertain what plants to buy, some shady annuals (plants that die after the season) are ferns, hostas, impatients, cosmos and petunias, often begonias too, will do okay in the shade.  There’s a whole variety of perennials (plants that come back every year) that thrive in shade.  Sun-loving annuals include geraniums, marigolds, daisies, selocia, verbena, alyssum and different grasses.  This is just a start – talk to the people at your local garden centre because they usually know their stuff.  Usually.

2. Buy an assortment of sizes/shapes of plants.  I think in three heights: tall, medium, and crawlers.  It sounds silly to say, but remember, plants grow and in a few weeks time, they can look quite different from when you first bought them.  Keep that in mind when you purchase.

3. Prep the soil.  I don’t have a preference for which soil to use – just get some good dirt, and get yourself dirty.  Mix it up well!

4. Figure out which plants will go where.  I like to lay them out so I have some idea of how the plants will fit.

5. Plant your tall plants first.  In go the grasses and any taller blooming ones.  Sometimes I’ll plant the grass as a centrepiece, other times I use it as a background plant, giving the pot a clear and front and back.

6. Plant the medium height plants.

7. Plant the ones meant to trail over the side, or the crawlers (whatever you want to call them!) last.

8.  Water, water, water.  Plants desperately need to be watered right after you plant them.  Don’t be afraid to give them a huge drink.

9.  Have a dog smell the flowers.  If the dog doesn’t pee on them, you’ve probably done a good job!

In a few weeks with some sun and water, your pots will look pretty different – much more filled in. 

Now go get down n’ dirty with some plant pots!