Step-by-step plan for planting terrace and balcony plants and potted Mediterranean plants

All terrace and balcony plants from Heijnen Plants are grown in pots, the great advantage of which is that the root system is already developed quite a bit. This allows these plants to be planted all year round, with the exception of periods of frost. In addition, our Mediterranean plants are also delivered in pots.

Here is a step-by-step plan for planting, or rather repotting, terrace and balcony plants and Mediterranean plants:

First, check whether there are one or more holes in the pot or planter in which you plan to place the plant(s), so that excess water can drain out of the pot or planter. This is very important, as it prevents the plant's roots from rotting (they should not be too wet for too long). In doing so, it is important that the root ball of the plant you want to place in the pot or planter is smaller than the pot/planter that will be used for the plant. This is because the plant must be allowed sufficient room to grow.
If you want to repot a Mediterranean plant and do not have the option to keep the plant in a sheltered place during the winter, we recommend that you insulate the pot on the inside. In fact, potted plants, and especially Mediterranean plants, are more vulnerable than garden plants in the open ground. Frost can reach potted plants more easily because the plant is above ground. When purchasing a new pot, it is wise to insulate the inside with e.g. Styrofoam (square pots) or bubble wrap (round pots). Note that it must still be possible for water to drain from the base. If insulation is not possible, then wrap the outside of the pots with bubble wrap in times of frost, or even better, allow the plant to overwinter indoors.
Next, fill the pot with potting soil and press in firmly. If the plants have specific soil preferences (such as Azalea and Rhododendron), mix the soil well with the soil type of your choice. When doing so, take into account the planting hole (root ball of the plant to be placed in the pot), so press the bottom and edges especially firmly. For tall and/or larger pots and planters, you may want to add a layer of hydro pellets first (about 20-25% of the pot). These hydro pellets improve drainage for plants and are lighter than potting soil. In fact, tall pots do not necessarily need to be completely filled with potting soil.
Water plants generously before repotting them into another pot or planter. Preferably submerge them in a bucket of water to ensure that the plants are repotted while properly moist. Make sure the root ball of the plant absorbs as much water as possible.
Remove the plastic pot from the plant. Sometimes the plants in the pots have already grown so hard that the roots are growing out of the bottom of the pot. By gently prying the plant out of the pot, the roots will often follow. If this is not the case, any roots that are outside the pot can be cut away or the plastic pot can be cut off. This results in no loss of quality or growth retardation for the plant.
You can then place the plant (i.e. without the plastic pot) in the pot or planter you want. When doing so, pay close attention that the plant is not too deep, but also not too high! The proper planting depth is easy to remember: make sure that the top of the soil (on a plant that has been removed from the pot) is slightly below the soil surface (also if the soil around the plant has been pressed down firmly). You should (only just) not be able to see the top of the 'potted plant' once it is planted. Next, firmly press down the potting soil.
You may choose to sprinkle some fertiliser(Pokon Bio Garden Manure) or spread a mulch layer (wood chips or cocoa shells) around the plants. Spread this on top of the layer of potting soil. This makes for a nice finish and it helps to keep the potting soil moist.
You can then water the plant(s) in the pot or planter generously once more. Keep in mind that soil in a window box, pot or planter will dry out faster than soil around plants in the open ground. So check regularly to make sure the plants are not too dry. On hot summer days, this means watering almost daily.

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