To pot on or to plant out

That is the Autumnal question

Now is the time of year when the potting benches begin their second major build-up of seedlings this season. Late summer-sown perennials are fighting for space with biennials bulking up, newly emerging hardy annuals, alongside pots of shruby cuttings. But even if your benches are less packed we all face the same big decision, do we risk our precious plants in the ground? are they tough enough to get through winter? or shall we pot them on and perch them in a window ledge to winter.

I do find this a difficult question to answer when I am asked for general potting advice as there are so many variables, this is not me training to be a politician and averting a question. Although I am now going to answer that question with my own set of questions, maybe I could hold my own as a politician after all !.

Question 1- What is your soil like over winter? does it tend to hold water? is it normally fairly well-drained and workable?

Question 2- What classification is the plant? is it a Biennial, perennial, hardy annual?

Question 3- How established is the plant? small seedling, a well-rooted potted plant, a rooted cutting? is the plant struggling? is it pot-bound does it need feeding?

All of these questions need to be considered before decisions on plantings are made. For example, I grow on clay soil which tends to be incredibly wet and cold in winter therefore I chose not to plant out this season sowing of perennials and hardy annuals in Autumn as they won’t be able to bulk up quickly enough before winter cools the ground. Although I will be planting out the bulky biennialsas they will suffer through winter if left in the pots until spring. However, If I was on free-draining soil with a warmer climate I may have also chosen to plant out some of the tougher Hardy Annuals as well.

As a rule, when potting I try to do It as little as possible I only try to pot on once if I have to as I think getting plants in the ground is the best option if it’s not going to harm the plant. I think nature looks after itself better than humans do, so plants if given the right time will adapt and strengthen themselves. It may seem like a pointless task but it really is worth getting to know your soil, does it hold water in winter dry in summer, and grow better and worse in certain areas? believe me your plants will thank you for spending a little time observing their new environment before you move them in.