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How to use containers in your garden this spring

Tin it up:

Your collection of old tins can be incorporated beautifully into your flower arrangements. Simply cut roses, sprigs or leaves in a florist’s oasis and place them into your tin. Remember to protect your tins with a plastic lining.

Why not keep it light and bright?

Why buy white vases when you can make them? Simply mix a few drops of thinners with white paint, and pour into ordinary clear glass bottles until the entire inside of the bottle is coated. Once dry, pop in a few fresh blooms and arrange to your satisfaction.

There are various focal points:

Strong elements such as weathered wood, dark glass bottles and a gilded portrait – all easily found at flea markets or in your granny’s attic – meet their match in a colourful display of poppies bursting to life alongside striking aloe shoots.

It's the spice of life:

Put a whole new spin on daily doings by softening spaces you wouldn’t ordinarily glance at twice with a few handpicked garden flowers in unused crystal and glass jars.

Before you do anything else, here are 8 top tips for planting a container garden:

•    Pot out fresh new plants every season and replace the soil every time.

•    First plan your garden, then buy the plants. Make sure you buy enough of each colour and variety for a really lavish display.

•    Use flowers that spill profusely over the sides of the containers such as petunias, fuchsias, verbenas, begonias, violas and suteras.

•    Fill the containers with good potting soil and compost. Use half potting soil and half compost, and add a handful of a product that aids to good water retention. After watering the pot well, let it stand for a while as the soil always settles after the first watering. Once that's done, fill the container almost to the top with potting soil.

•    Plant the seeds close together.

•    Water the containers everyday, when you are away get someone to do it for you as container plants dry out quickly.

•    Deadhead regularly - it will ensure a far longer flowering period.

•    Also feed container plants regularly, by alternating every three weeks. Ensure you're applying the right quantity of of fertiliser for the container as overfeeding can be disastrous for your plants.

More on decor:

Brighten up your home by adding a touch of yellow

13 must-have items when moving into your own place

5 must-haves for the ultimate in kitchen cool

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