Window boxes

Posted by: Kevin-W on 29 April 2012

Hi all

 

Have just bought a couple of window boxes for the front of the flat. Knowing very little about plants/flowers, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what to put in them.

 

We're on the 2nd floor, south facing (so get lots of sunshine). I'd like to have something very bright that's visible both inside the flat and maybe even adds a bit of colour when viewed from the street below.

 

Any suggestions as to what to plant, and when?

 

Many thanks

 

K

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by tonym

Pelargoniums (called Geraniums by some) and Lobelia always look nice and bright Kevin. They both come in a range of different colours & don't require much aftercare. You could go & ask advice from a local garden centre if you want something a bit more exotic.

 

Be aware though that window boxes require frequent watering - once or even twice a day when it's hot.

Posted on: 03 May 2012 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by tonym:

Pelargoniums (called Geraniums by some) and Lobelia always look nice and bright Kevin. They both come in a range of different colours & don't require much aftercare. You could go & ask advice from a local garden centre if you want something a bit more exotic.

 

Be aware though that window boxes require frequent watering - once or even twice a day when it's hot.

Cheers Tony, I bought and planted Pelagoniums and Lobelias today - look forward to seeing how they come up.

Posted on: 03 May 2012 by Quad 33

Just a word of warning. The weather forecast is for cold days &the possibility of frost in some parts of the country even on a south facing window sill any half hardly plants such as ones mentioned above will be susceptible to cold / frost . As a rule of thumb bedding plants should not be planted out before the end of May (bank holiday) you may get away with it on a south facing window ledge but would hate for you to loss any plants.  Good Luck.

 

Regards Graham.

Posted on: 03 May 2012 by Mike-B
Originally Posted by tonym:

Be aware though that window boxes require frequent watering - once or even twice a day when it's hot.

Remember to water as in soak,  don't just dampen the top as the lower levels can get over dry & the plants suffer.  Don't forget to add a weak feed to the water at least once a week, Tomorite is a good GP feed for most flowering plants.  

Window boxes - likewise patio tubs etc - tend to be time & money consuming compared to a regular garden. Be prepared to change the plants regularly each season,  spring plants do wot it sez on the label, ditto summer autumn & winter. 

The right soil is important, it depends somewhat on your choice of plants, but for general purposes John Innes #3 compost (made from real soil) is probably better than the "multipurpose" peat substitute composts, these tend to suffer & never recover their water retention properties if they do go dry. A mix of both JI & multipurpose can work well.  

The boxes will need regular plant & soil food top ups  & top ups with fresh soil compost. Try to use an organic type of food rather than chemical, chicken poo pellets are very good. They will need the soil to be changed at least 1x per year as it looses its nutrients & plant growth becomes slow, weak & liable to become diseased.   

 

Have fun.