How to Plant a Window
Box
Window boxes add another
dimension to container gardening. You can plant them with anything,
from shrubs and perennials for winter colour to a stunning summer
display of tender plants such as trailing geraniums (Pelargoniums).
You need to make sure that your window box is securely in place
- containers full of moist compost and plants are heavy. If you
need more, window brackets and fixings can be bought at DIY stores.
This workshop gives you the basics of window box planting.
What You Need:
Window box securely in place with drainage holes and saucer, depending
on type; compost to suit planting - potting compost - or a loam
based type such as John Innes, if planting small shrubs; ericaceous
compost if planting acid-loving plants such as heathers; crocks
(broken pots) or stones; choice of plants; hand trowel; watering
can. Optional: piece of membrane such as Plantex or sacking; gravel
or pebbles to finish the top of the compost.
.
Step 1
Check your window box has drainage holes in the base or at the bottom
of the sides. Some plastic containers may have to be drilled through,
and a saucer placed beneath the box. Cover holes with crocks or
stones - make a layer about 5 - 7 cm deep. If you have it to hand,
cut a piece of sacking, Plantex membrane, or J cloth to cover the
crocks. This filters water through but will stop your compost from
being washed out.
Step 2
Use the pot of your largest plant to check the amount of compost
to add to the window box. Hold it inside the box, leaving space
at the top, so that the compost surface will finish about 3 cm below
the top. Put compost into the window box to this level.
Step 3
Arrange plants in their pots on top of the compost. Your plant arrangement
may depend on the view out through the window, as well as how the
box looks from the front. Put trailing plants around the edges so
that these will cover the box in time. Space other plants out to
fill the box as they grow. Start by planting the plant with the
tallest pot. Ease it out of its pot and place it into position.
Step 4
Add more compost to get the correct planting height of smaller plants
- level with the first, largest plant. This ensures the smaller
plants do not sink, or have their roots dangling in space. Ease
plants out of their pots keeping their rootballs intact, and place
them in the container. Use handfuls of compost to fill in the spaces
between the roots of each plant, firming them in as you go.
Step 5
Water your planted window box well, using the rose attachment on
your watering can so as not to wash the top layer of compost away
from the roots of the plants. Apply a layer of gravel or pebbles
to cover the top of the compost. Not only does this look good, but
it helps to retain moisture around the plants, and stops the top
of the compost from forming a crust which sheds water from it. Water
your window box regularly - daily in hot dry weather.
Source: Greenfingers
