Did you go to the garden centre this weekend?

Easter is the busiest weekend of the year for plant nurseries, so there’s a decent chance you were there. I love a garden centre. But often we go, buy a random plant that catches our eye, plonk it in the garden and hope for the best. If that’s you (no judgement, it’s me too), here’s some tips for success: 

• Acclimatise your plants - they’re used to a soft, comfy life. Let them spend a week outside in a sheltered spot, before you plant them in their final position.

• Watch out for slugs. Garden centres employ a range of anti-slug tactics, and your tender darlings are at risk in the Wild West of your garden. Organic slug pellets still kill wildlife, so use wool pellets, crushed seashells or beer traps instead.  

• Water in new plants really, really well. Better than that. Still more water. Make sure the soil in the pot is really damp before you plant, then use a whole watering can for small pots, and five cans for trees. Keep an eye on your new babies for a whole growing season, and water deeply if they’re wilting. 

• Final tip, and probably my favourite - go back to the garden centre! They display the best-looking plants at any given moment, so if you only go once a year, your garden will look amazing for that season, and underwhelming the rest of the time. Happy hunting.

April 2025