How To Plant A Summer Bedding Display
Adding a splash of colour to the garden in summer is a great way to liven up your flower beds. Gardener Stella Fear demonstrates how to inject some vibrancy with a great summer bedding display.
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Step 1:
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You will need
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Step 2:
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Prepare the soil
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Gently fork over the soil and remove any weeds or large stones. If the soil is in bad condition, add some organic matter such as compost. Once the area is clear of debris, rake over the top to create a nice fine tilth to plant into. If the site is very dry – irrigate the day before.
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Step 3:
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Position the plants
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Summer bedding plants require sun for large parts of the day, so ensure your chosen bed can provide this.
Plan the design whilst the plants are still potted. The taller dot plant, in this case a Standard Fuchsia, should form a central focus to the display, with the summer bedding plants arranged around it in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Complete the arrangement with a non-flowering plant such as Cineraria (aka Silver Leaf) along the edge of the border. This provides definition.
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Step 4:
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Planting the dot plant
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Dig a hole to the same width and depth of the plant's root system. Check this by placing the plant, still in its pot, into the hole. It should be a snug fit. Ensure the roots are entirely covered to prevent them drying out, but the stem should not be buried to avoid rotting. Once planted, it is necessary to provide the plant with the correct support. Push the thicker end of a bamboo cane firmly into the soil, to the back of the plant. Tie the cane to the stem at three places with "Snip 'N' Twist", or garden twine. Remove the original smaller bamboo cane that came with the plant.
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Step 5:
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Planting bedding and edging
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Follow the same method of digging and measuring the holes with the plant pots as demonstrated in step four. When you have planted your summer bedding, move on to the edging plants. To get an even, defined edge, use the trowel blade to measure the distance between plants. Use a non-flowering plant such as Cineraria (aka Silver Leaf).
Repeat the pattern all the way along the length of your flower bed or border, and thoroughly water the plants in.