With a few simple steps, including a gardeners’ technique known as loosening (which it doesn’t hurt to use to give your plants the best possible chance for success), you’ll be enjoying your new garden in no time.
Follow the steps below for each plant and your new garden will, with any luck, get off to a flying start.
Step 1
First, dig a hole. This should be slightly wider, and ever-so-slightly deeper than the size of the pot.
Step 2
Check that the hole is the right size by putting the plastic pot (with plant inside), in the hole first. This will allow you to make any adjustments to the hole before you risk damaging the plant by removing it from the pot.
Step 3
Once you’re ready, remove the plant from the pot. Squeeze the sides, and apply a little pressure to the bottom, lay your hand on top of the soil with two fingers either side of the main stem and flip. It should gently fall out.
Step 4
Holding the plant gently by the soily part (that’s the technical term) in one hand, use your other hand to loosen up the roots as pictured below. Don’t worry if a few break during this process.
Step 5
Taking care not to damage the roots too much though, gently place it into the hole and fill in the edges pressing down firmly but with care.
Step 6
Once all of the plants in an area have been planted, make sure to give them a good water to help them settle in.
Why loosen?
Often, plants will have been grown in pots – sometimes for not an insubstantial period of time – meaning that the roots of the plant may well have taken on some of the shape of the pot. To avoid this from limiting the plant’s growth, and ensuring that its roots are able to spread out into the soil once planted, loosening is a handy technique to give your garden an extra boost.
