Beetroot “Mini Baby Beets”, Cabbage “Mini Cannonball” and Cauliflower “Mini White” are all varieties that can be grown in a smaller area, such as containers or pots, and yet still produce tasty crops.

Broccolini, formed by a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale, produces crops with stalks that are thinner than traditional broccoli. The florets are also sweeter and have a slightly peppery taste.

Pak Choi varieties are also suitable for pot culture and produce white as well as green stemmed plants. The leaves and stems of these oriental vegetables are suitable for inclusion in soups, stir-fries, salads and for pickling. Tender, outside leaves can be harvested, or the whole plant can be used.

A full sun position should be selected for best results. The soil should have been enriched with compost or a general garden fertiliser, added prior to planting.

Growing vegetables in pots has a number of advantages, including:

* Pots can be moved around to suit the climatic conditions, including requirements for sun.

*Soils can be changed according to the individual needs of the vegetables.

* Protection from strong winds can be provided. 

Watering, weeding, planting and harvesting can all be made easier if the pots are raised. This makes the growing of vegetables in pots suitable for people with mobility and accessibility problems.

Potted chrysanthemums are one of the most popular gifts for Mother’s Day. The plants will last indoors for several weeks if they are only watered when the soil becomes dry. They should be placed into a well-lit position. Flowers that have died and leaves that have turned yellow should be removed from the plant.

Once flowering has ceased, the plants can either be discarded, or planted into the garden. Stems should be cut back to about 15cm in height. A sunny, well-drained position should be selected. An application of a liquid fertiliser every four to six weeks will assist the plant in maintaining strong growth.

Plants that have been specially grown in pots will have been treated with chemicals to maintain a dwarf plant structure. These may have also induced flowering that lessens as the effects wear off. However, once the plants have been placed into garden soil they will eventually return to a normal plant size.

During the summer, tip pruning of stems will help to produce a more compact plant. Plants that have become overcrowded can be divided into smaller plants, each with its own separate root system.

In addition to potted chrysanthemum plants being given as Mother’s Day gifts, bunches of chrysanthemums are also very traditional gifts. These flowers will last for 2 -3 weeks if several actions have been taken.

 Leaves that will be below the water level in the vase should be removed so that they do not decompose in the water. When the stems are first planted into the vase, the bottom centimetre of each stem should be trimmed off under the water. This will prevent the formation of air bubbles that would prevent the plant tissue absorbing water through the ends of the stem.

Some people like to add a small amount of bleach to the water in order to prevent the formation of moulds, while others add a chemical sometimes supplied with the cut flowers.

Replacing the water in the vase every several days and rinsing the stems well at the same time will also help to prolong the life of the flowers.

The lower trunks of trees can be badly damaged by lawn mowers, and, more recently, whipper snippers. A plastic pot can be used in order to prevent the damage.

The base of the pot should be removed and a cut made from top to bottom, down the side. The pot can then be placed around the trunk as a temporary protective measure. However, the pot should not be left there permanently as it may cause damage to the trunk.

The areas under large trees can present difficulties for the home gardener when planning the plants that can be included in this area.

There are two main reasons for this; the area will be one of shade, the depth of which will vary according to whether the tree is deciduous or evergreen, and larger trees will have an extensive root system, often quite close to the surface, making planting difficult, if damage to the root system is to be avoided.

Where the root system is reasonably congested, areas between the roots can be dug out and plants placed there, adding some good quality potting mix in order to assist the plants in establishing a new root system. 

Other trees may larger areas under their roots, suitable for larger growing plants.

 Pruning some of the larger branches will assist in allowing more light into the areas, allowing better growth for the new plants.

When selecting plants to grow under the canopy of trees, in addition to selecting plants that grow well in that situation, consideration should also be given to the foliage, form and texture of the plants in order to create interesting and attractive plantings.