Winter and Spring Pots

[Misky]

I have planned a day off work tomorrow to do my winter and spring pots - a little late I know, but worth a try. Now the weathermen say it's going to be really really cold tomorrow. Will I be okay planting in the cold? I know they'll have to endure even colder temperatures over the winter, but is the actual planting day temperature that important? I have heathers for some pots on top of a low wall, clyclamen for pots on the patio and tulip bulbs for next spring. I'm also wondering about whether I can plant a small bed of pansies. These are things I usually do about three weeks ago.... Can you advise please?

[Bromsgrove]

Hello Misky! Although the weather is set to change the soil should certainly have retained sufficient warmth for planting. Later in the year you may need to fleece some of the pots if the weather gets too severe. Enjoy your display!

[Misky]

Thanks very much Bromsgrove - it's said to be frosty up here in the morning, so I might have a lie in! Thanks for your help.

[Hawkwalk]

Be aware that unless you are planting hardy cyclamen the majority of commonly available ones are not frost hardy and will need to come inside during the winter. The corms may survive but the foliage and flowers wont.

[pendelli]

Hi Misky Go ahead and plant your pots. Garden centres are full of winter bedding at the moment eg pansies violas, polyanthus, primulas, forget-me-nots all suitable for container planting. Also walflower and sweet william for beds. As Halkwalk says cyclamen , lovely as they are, tend to either go a bit floppy or mouldy if too wet Heathers are fine too but remember to use ericaceous compost. Tulips such as Red Riding Hood and Narcissi Tete e Tete or Jet Fire both miniture make a nice show. The secret of container growing in the winter is be canny on the watering - too much will cause waterlogging and cracked pots if there is a hard prolonged frost. Apart from that you should have a nice show. cheers Pendelli

[Misky]

Thanks you three - I planted my pots and it wasn't even that cold in the end - but it was very blustery so I had to keep going next door to get the empties back! I put the wallflowers and pansies in the beds, some tulip bulbs in some pots for the spring, and little heathers in some other pots. The cyclamen were mainly for instant colour to cheer up my patio. Too much information? Thanks again! It's so nice when people can be bothered to share knowledge. X