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Post by Chuckles on Jan 10, 2007 18:12:12 GMT
How about a Charity shop for a jumper, there not cheap these day though so it may be worth looking on their sale rail  . I put a plastic water saucer in the bottom of my baskets and it acts as a reservoir, I also sink a small plant pot into the middle of the compo so I can water into it. If I use inside out compo bags to line baskets I just put drainage holes in a little way up, this way the bottom of the liner keeps moist in. |
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Post by Plocket on Jan 10, 2007 19:20:04 GMT
Oh I like the idea of sinking a plant-pot into the soil - that's great BB! I did the reservoir thing last year, and the holes higher up the liner/compost bag and it worked ok for the flowers so I might try it with the tomatoes. I've only got the two baskets but they are fairly big so I'm hoping to get two or three tomato plants in each.
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 10, 2007 19:57:19 GMT
The pot in the middle works really well with the saucer too. If they get over dry it doesn't flow over everywhere, you can just top up the pot a couple of times and the compo absorbs it slowly  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2007 9:31:41 GMT
Just about to cut my old gardening cardigan up for baskets, It should make two I think they will be for the Tumbler Toms, I usually use a plastic saucer in the bottom, when you empty it all the roots are often twined round & round in it so it must hold on to the water.
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 13, 2007 14:34:43 GMT
I guess you could use any old clothing as long as the colour is suitable, I'm wondering if old fleeces would do, lets be honest as long as they last the season even an old shirt would be ok, a cotton shirt could be doubled up for thickness. Mmmmm may have to go poking in the OH's wardrobe ;D ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 28, 2007 22:49:39 GMT
Have bought 4 white and 4 Orange hanging/trailing Begonias for 2 of my baskets this year. I normally like to stick to one colour per basket but may jazz things up this years and mix the Orange and White for a bit of a splash. Might bulk them up a bit as well with some white trailing Lobelia Whats anyone else doing |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 22:55:59 GMT
Ooh, you've got me started now Chuckles ;D I have made thousands over the past few years so it is sort of my speciality  . I do all of the ones for the local towns and villages for the 'In Bloom' competitions and then 100's for customers at the nursery ;D They are VERY high maintenance but I just love 'em ;D S x |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:04:23 GMT
This is the beginning of the onslaught last April  S x |
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 28, 2007 23:05:57 GMT
 So many, that sounds like it keeps you busy Susie. I love to see nice full baskets but always leave getting mine too late for some reason So this year I'm going to be on the ball and start thinking and planning now SL and me are going to try to make these ball ones but we have to think about how were going to do it yet, should be a laugh. I have visions of throwing the lot across the gdn if it don't work, 2 pairs of hands would be handy I think ;D
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:14:40 GMT
I've made a few of those myself Chuckles!
Make up two baskets filling the compost up right to the top. Then put a piece of plastic (old compost bag) on top of one of them. Flip this one over onto the other basket, whip out the plastic and cable tie together! Then, get some old hosepipe, pierce some holes in it and shove it (literally) through the top leaving a couple of inches showing so you can find it easily to water once the plants have grown!
S x
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Post by sweetleaf on Jan 28, 2007 23:19:27 GMT
sounds easy but my plan is to try and make mine look like a standard, like the ones on the T&M DVD !How the heck am I going to get it on a pole/make it stable.........Susie its over to you |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:21:43 GMT
Drill through the pole on both sides then pass cable ties through the basket bottom and through the pole and tie really tight. I've done this before and it does work but it's easier to plant the basket up once it's attached to the pole ;D
S x
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:22:40 GMT
Forgot to say that I used tree stakes |
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 28, 2007 23:23:47 GMT
Your a  Susie thanks for that tip. I'd thought of doing a ball one for next winter with just variegated ivy in it, one of the yellow and green or cream and green type. I thought it could be a permenant basket for all year, Some bits could be tucked in the basket and let some of the ivy go a bit wild and straggley but give it a trim every now an then. Not sure if it will work |
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 28, 2007 23:25:50 GMT
Hey SL where gonna be rockin and rollin with these ball baskets thanks to Susie |
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Post by sweetleaf on Jan 28, 2007 23:28:52 GMT
Hey SL where gonna be rockin and rollin with these ball baskets thanks to Susie Shes red hot with these tips isnt she ? Im all fired up...pity its dark. ;D |
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 28, 2007 23:31:05 GMT
She's fab  for Susie. Bet we'll have fired some others up to have a go too ;D |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:33:27 GMT
Yes it will work but we tend to put other types of foliage plants in as well, just to make them a bit more interesting. Thyme, helichrysum, lamium, white bacopa, dichondra and for the life of me I can't remember any more at the moment  Still, this makes for a very 'natural' looking basket! S x |
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Post by sweetleaf on Jan 28, 2007 23:36:25 GMT
Im off to the shed in the morning. I already know what wood Im using, planting though, is another matter which requires thought just one type, one colour, for a realistic standard. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:38:22 GMT
If you want ONE colour for the whole basket I find it's always best to use one type of plant. Otherwise you get different shades and the whole effect doesn't work as well!
S x
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:39:54 GMT
I'm on a roll now.........................your 'standard' baskets will look great in your border in groups of three staggered at different heights ;D
S x
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 28, 2007 23:42:02 GMT
I agree Susie, I've done baskets with just one colour of Lobelia before and they look really pretty |
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Post by sweetleaf on Jan 28, 2007 23:43:33 GMT
oooh I can picture that.........or even taller 3 on one pole like one of those "cloud" pruned trees .....that could be a bit hard though.  |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:44:03 GMT
Although lobelia is pretty Chuckles, there are loads of much more exciting basket plants you could use. Try doing some 'lobelia free' baskets for a change Go on, I dare you ;D S x |
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Post by sweetleaf on Jan 28, 2007 23:46:55 GMT
Nepeta looks good in a basket if you can avoid mildew. |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:47:43 GMT
THAT'S the other one I was trying to think of Thanks SL |
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Post by sweetleaf on Jan 28, 2007 23:50:06 GMT
Im yawnin like a goodun, you back at work tomorrow Susie? I have a windows man coming to rip out  the living room window. |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 23:51:18 GMT
Crikey, hope the weather's ok for that! Yes, I'm back tomorrow so am going to bed now, I'm absolutely shattered Nite all S x |
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Post by sweetleaf on Jan 28, 2007 23:53:09 GMT
`Night, God bless Susie x
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2007 8:03:47 GMT
Have bought 4 white and 4 Orange hanging/trailing Begonias for 2 of my baskets this year. I normally like to stick to one colour per basket but may jazz things up this years and mix the Orange and White for a bit of a splash. Might bulk them up a bit as well with some white trailing Lobelia Whats anyone else doing I used orange trailing begonias in a basket for a few years, they looked absolutely stunning - but the corms were killed by frost one very cold winter we had when we lived in Scotland.  |
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So many, that sounds like it keeps you busy Susie. I love to see nice full baskets but always leave getting mine too late for some reason So this year I'm going to be on the ball and start thinking and planning now 
for Susie. Bet we'll have fired some others up to have a go too ;D
