Whether they are green plants, flowering plants, succulents, cacti, grasses or trees, different plants need different kinds of soil and care. Choosing the right pots for your plants is part of this care. Flower pots can be as simple as terracotta pots and saucers, or glazed pots with hand-painted designs on them. How can you find the right pot?

1. Match the style of the pot to the style of your home. A tall, slender pot blends in beautifully with modern decor. Casual, folk art pots fit right in with country style. No matter what the style of your home is, make sure the design of the pot doesn’t outshine the plant.

2. Think about maintenance. Though terracotta pots and planters absorb moisture quickly, they also dry out quickly. Ceramic pots are sealed with glaze. Some glazes are plain and some are crackled. Wooden planters are unsealed and you may have to seal them, and continue to seal them, to prevent fading and splintering.

3. Think about the general location of the plant. Deck pots and container garden pots have to be sturdy enough to withstand weather. Your pots should allow for drainage. Put large saucers under large pots to protect wooden decking. You may also wish to buy hanging plants for your deck or patio.

4. Keep scale in mind. Perhaps you are buying a plant for your coffee table. A pot of chrysanthemums will look right at home on a large table, whereas a small bonsai plant will look right at home on a small table. Place an indoor tree in a tall area that allows for growth.

5. Learn about plant growth. Some plants prefer tight quarters and others prefer large quarters for their spreading root systems. Choose a flower pot that suits this growth. Find out if the plant needs direct or filtered sunlight. Your local flower shop or nursery can advise you on the best pot for your plant.

One final tip. Keep in mind that large pots are hard to move after they are filled with soil. You may wish to buy a rolling plant mover when you buy the pot. And check discount stores for faux stone pots made of plastic or resin. These pots are attractive, lightweight, and last for years.

You may be lucky enough to find flower pots at church rummage sales, local flea markets, and antique shops. Many of these pots are one-of-a kind and you won’t find them again. When you see a pot you love, buy it. (You may be able to talk down the price.) Nothing sets off a plant more than the right flower pot. Happy hunting!

Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson

Different houseplants make different demands on their environment. Most plants have their requirements expressed by symbols, which you will find on the care tag of most plants. The trick is figuring out what those symbols actually mean.

Most light needs are divided into 3 specific categories: full sun, semi-shade and shade. However, these classifications are not standardized, so variations do exist. In addition, the number of daylight hours also has an effect on the growth of plants. In winter, there is less sunlight and a plant that received more than adequate light during the summer months may be light deprived in the winter. Be flexible. The number of daylight hours also influences the flowering period and the growth of the plant.

There are two distinctions that can be made regarding the growth and flowering habits of houseplants. Some plants will only bloom whiten there are only a few hours of daylight while others bloom only when the day is long. Short-day plants make flower buds when there is less than 12 daylight hours. Long-day plants flower when there are more than 12 daylight hours.

Growers make use of these characteristics by keep plants artificially dark (the poinsettias are brought on early for the Christmas trade) or growing in artificial light in the winter for earlier blooms.

In general, the three light requirements are:

Full Sun the plant tolerates unshaded sunlight for an unlimited number of hours each day. It can be placed in or near a south facing window.

Semi-shade this plant needs a lot of sunlight, but it has to be protected from the strongest rays of the sun. In a south-facing window, blinds should be shading it form direct light. An east facing window, where the sun disappears after about 10 AM, is a good choice as is a west facing window where the plant will receive afternoon sun. This classification is also often called bright, indirect light.

Shade this plant should not be exposed to any direct sunlight, particularly in the summer. A northern exposure is best. This is tricky as you do need some sun, or the plant will not grow.

It is never possible to entirely rid your garden of weeds, but even weeds that seem difficult to remove can be overcome and with persistent effort and a lot of patience annual weeds will diminish each season if you keep on killing off the seedlings before they can flower and generate more weed seeds.

Once you have managed to reduce the population of weeds a programme of mulching and prompt weed clearance as soon as they appear will keep your garden almost weed-free.

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a quick process however, as weed clearance can take a couple of garden seasons before weeds are effectively removed. It is more evident if you have been neglecting your garden so keep on top of things for great results.

Deep-rooted perennial weeds and the types of weeds that have long roots which penetrate deep into the ground are best removed by using a fork to dig them up. Use the fork to make the roots loose and hold the weed stem as close to the base as possible when you pull it out of the ground, ensuring you pull up the whole of the weed if possible.

If you do not manage to pull out all of the root then new weeds will continue to grow.

Using to hoe to control weeds is another good method of weed management, but it is a job which needs to be carried out regularly. Make sure to hoe the garden beds and borders and remember not to neglect the vegetable garden if you have one.

Weedkillers are another useful option in the battle against weeds and are very helpful if you need to clear an area of weeds quickly and efficiently. Some types of weedkiller have been designed to kill only the top growth of weeds allowing you to plant in the same area after a day or so of applying the weedkiller.

Some types of weedkiller have been designed to kill the whole weed, including the root. Depending on the type of weedkiller and the weed to be removed you may need to either spray the affected area or paint the weedkiller formulation directly onto the weed itself.

Always consult the directions that accompany the weedkiller before use and if in doubt ask for advice at your local garden centre or weedkiller supplier.

Another effective method of controlling weeds is to use mulch, especially in the vegetable and fruit garden. Plastic sheeting placed around the base of plants and vegetables is also a money-saving method of keeping weeds to a minimum, however it can sometimes not be that attractive from an aesthetic point of view in the garden.

When applying a mulch, such as chipped bark, garden compost or cocoa shells, make an effort to clear the ground of all weeds first and then spread the mulch at least 5cm (2in) thick. Ensuring an even layer of mulch to the appropriate thickness should keep most weeds from growing through the mulch layer.

Keep up the battle against weeds in your garden and you will be rewarded with less and less weeds in the garden every season.

For further advice and timely tips on all aspects of gardening, please visit The Seasonal Gardener

For specific gardening jobs and tips, please visit The Seasonal Gardener website.