Welsh gardeners urged to move plant pots in gardens before summer

Container gardening is an increasingly popular method to grow plants in small spaces, but there are several common mistakes to watch out for this summer

Ellen Jenne Senior U35 Spare Time Writer and Chris Bonnett

14:30, 13 Apr 2026

Fresh herb plants, herbs growing in containers in a UK courtyard garden

Container gardening is an increasingly popular method to grow plants in small spaces, but there are several common mistakes to watch out for this summer(Image: PaulMaguire via Getty Images)

Container gardening has surged in popularity, particularly in towns and cities, offering a straightforward and adaptable method of introducing greenery without requiring extensive outdoor space.

While container gardening typically demands less upkeep due to reduced weeding and simpler soil control, it’s crucial to recognise that containers establish an entirely distinct growing environment when compared to traditional garden beds.

Since plants are restricted within containers, they depend wholly on you to provide water, nutrients and suitable conditions for healthy growth. From watering blunders to incorrectly sized pots and incompatible plant combinations, minor errors can rapidly result in struggling plants, yet by steering clear of these frequent mistakes it’s entirely possible to maintain vibrant containers throughout the growing season.

Multi-coloured, decorative, metal plant pots containing flowering plants, hanging from a wooden fence in a back yard on a sunny day in summertime.

Metal containers can be a stylish choice but they also heat up quickly in direct sunlight(Image: Getty)

Here are seven common container gardening mistakes to avoid:

1. Not being mindful of the heat when using metal containers

Metal containers can offer an attractive aesthetic but they tend to heat up rapidly when exposed to direct sunlight, potentially harming roots and causing soil to dry out more quickly than anticipated. If you’re opting for metal pots, consider positioning them in partial shade during the warmest hours or adding insulation to protect the root system, reports the Express.

2. Not providing enough drainage

Adequate drainage is vital for thriving plants. When water accumulates at the base of a container, it can starve roots of oxygen and trigger rot or disease, so always check pots have drainage holes and that excess water can escape freely.

The soil should remain moist rather than saturated.

3. Over or under-watering

Achieving the correct watering balance in containers can prove challenging, as compost dries out more rapidly than soil in traditional beds. Too much water can suffocate roots, while insufficient watering leads to wilting and stunted growth.

Monitor the compost regularly by checking the top few inches, and when it feels dry, watering is required. During warm summer weather, containers may require watering as often as twice daily.

Vintage garden scene with hyacinths and weights

Anyone with metal plant pots urged to move them(Image: Getty)

4. Using pots or containers that are too small

Selecting a container that allows adequate room for root development helps plants establish successfully and retain moisture more efficiently. Crops such as tomatoes, courgettes and compact fruit trees all require larger, deeper containers to accommodate their root systems, while even herbs like mint can rapidly outgrow restricted spaces.

5. Choosing incompatible plants

Combining plants with differing requirements in a single container can lead to complications. Certain plants flourish in direct sunlight, while others favour shadier conditions, and their watering demands can differ equally.

Clustering plants with comparable needs simplifies care, such as grouping sun-loving herbs including lavender and rosemary, while positioning shade-preferring specimens like ferns in alternative containers.

6. Using the wrong type of soil

Standard garden soil proves too dense for containers and compacts readily, so opt instead for premium-quality compost or potting mix formulated specifically for container use, which delivers the optimal balance of nutrients, drainage and moisture retention.

7. Forgetting fertiliser

Container-grown plants can rapidly deplete the nutrients within their compost, particularly throughout the growing season. If they aren’t fed regularly, they risk becoming weak and undernourished, making it essential to apply a liquid feed fortnightly or incorporate slow-release granules to ensure plants remain properly nourished.