Container Gardening Can Be Deadly, Claims Nigel Slater - Yet He Admits to Continued Passion for It
In my compact, urban outdoor oasis, a garden may as well be a collection of diverse planters as it is of actual soil. From durable old terracotta vessels to shiny copper numbers, the plant life thrives alongside a mix of materials and designs.
You can find small trees sprouting from terracotta pots, with wallflowers and foxgloves nestled within verdigris-patinated copper planters, and woody-stemmed herbs displayed proudly in zinc troughs. The roof plays host to azaleas and conifers in robust plastic containers, which are heavy enough to resist the wind but light enough to avoid harming the structure. Don't be surprised if these raised beds also carry a few vegetable planters, adding a touch of practicality to the greenery.
If you're interested, you might enjoy reading up on:
- Nigel Slater's tempting garden plans from the plant catalogues
- The grand gardening mission Nigel Slater embarks on this year
- Nigel Slater's stories of planting failures
- Nigel Slater on the delight of spending time in his garden
I have a soft spot for weathered terracotta pots, especially those perfect for vintage Pelargoniums – where the rust-red clay seems to accentuate the deep red and pale-pink hues of Pelargonium 'Lord Bute' and P. 'Madame Auguste Nonin.' Of course, I'm not the only one who thinks so, as Victorian pots can fetch a hefty price in the current market. Sadly, the days of browsing reclaimed yards full of pots at bargain prices seem to be a thing of the past.
Come late spring, I start off my dahlias in plastic tubs before moving them into the terracotta planters that become vacant after the narcissi and tulips have faded. The design, which incorporates wide horizontal bands, is reminiscent of a Mediterranean olive-pressing barrel. In contrast, the cheaper plastic versions (which I reluctantly admit have their practical advantages) get reused year after year, proving sturdy when stacked away between seasons.
In the case of my garden, the addition of planters was not purely aesthetics. Due to the house being constructed on dense London clay, I realized I needed to lighten the soil beneath my feet. After digging what felt like endless tons of organic matter into the heavy soil, I managed to create a friable, chocolate-like tilth suitable for growing roses, hydrangeas, potatoes, and beans (to name a few). However, one drawback soon became apparent – my herbs frequently succumbed to winter waterlogging due to the rich soil composition.
With the advice of herb queen Jekka McVicar, I discovered the solution: shifting my herbs into pots, using lighter and grittier soil rather than the heavy clay from the garden. Aside from a few exceptions (such as lemon thyme), my herbs have not only survived but flourished in the pots. My once-struggling rosemary plant has even been standing proudly outside the kitchen door for over a decade.
Plants demanding plenty of nutrients and water, like tomatoes and dahlias, thrive in planters where they can dine on as much fertilizer and absorb all the water they need. Through the years, I've suffered my share of gardening disasters – shattered Italian pots struck by falling rocks, toppled conical planters, and the infamous "poisoned pot" that seems to kill off every plant within a year. However, these planter mishaps are often followed by second lives as crocks, increasing the versatility and longevity of my planter collection.
Having control over pots transcends simple cultivation; I can easily manage water levels and move pots around the garden based on weather conditions. A capricious basil pot can follow the sun's progress, while a potted aubergine seeks out the hottest wall in the garden to achieve the desired rich, dark fruit. With containers, I can keep rampant mint, fraises de bois, and Jerusalem artichokes from taking over my entire garden, enabling me to maintain a garden design that is both attractive and manageable.
Of course, as with anything, maintaining pots in an urban garden comes with its challenges. Small pots can dry out too quickly, while larger pots require consistent watering. Rainfall may not reach the soil, causing it to stay dry despite the overabundance of water droplets. Learning to balance these conditions has been a valuable lesson in mastering my urban garden.
Urban gardening in London clay soil presents unique challenges, but selecting the right planters and caring for them properly is essential for maintaining a healthy and thriving outdoor space. By opting for breathable terracotta or moisture-retaining ceramic pots, heavy concrete planters, or durable wooden or fibreclay planters, you can create a dynamic space that complements your urban garden's aesthetic while providing adequate drainage and soil maintenance. Self-watering planters may also be beneficial in ensuring consistent moisture levels without creating water retention issues. With proper drainage, soil preparation, watering practices, and maintenance, you can cultivate a successful and beautiful garden in the heart of the city.
- Incorporating diverse planters, such as terracotta, copper, zinc, plastic, and wooden planters, enriches the home-and-garden style and provide suitable environments for various plants, including small trees, wallflowers, foxgloves, herbs, azaleas, conifers, dahlias, and vegetables.
- The lifestyle of urban garden enthusiasts often involves reveling in the delight of tending to gardens that flourish in diverse planters, from weathered terracotta pots to contemporary self-watering ones, and attending to tasks like re-potting herbs into lighter soil to prevent waterlogging.
- In order to nurture a successful and beautiful garden, it is crucial to select suitable planters for urban gardening conditions, like breathable terracotta or moisture-retaining ceramic pots, heavy concrete planters, or durable wooden or fibreclay planters, ensuring adequate drainage, soil maintenance, and proper watering practices to overcome the challenges posed by London clay soil.
