Top of the pots

Has decking had its day? Will Bonfire Night 2010 be brighter and hotter than usual, fuelled by tons of ripped up tongue and groove which was yesterday's must-have for the "discerning" gardener?

I shouldn't think so, although decking does seem to be losing some of its popularity. Perhaps the patio is fighting back…

The patio. Also known as the terrace, the paved area, the yard, the flagged bit at the back of the house. It can be as big as you like, it can be as small as you like, and it can be all things to all gardeners, but what it always is is a piece of hard landscaping where, with the right treatment, plants can be grown and exhibited all year round.

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So whatever your definition, whatever its appearance, view it as a growing area to be enjoyed throughout spring, summer, into the autumn, and even during the winter.

The beauty of the patio is that it can be used to house pots, tubs, troughs and any container that will hold a plant. And if your garden proper is too acid or too alkaline for certain plants, your patio and its pots can be the perfect answer.

Rhododendrons, azaleas and even those delightful cut-leaved ornamental Japanese maples resent a hint of lime in the soil – but by using an ericaceous compost in a carefully-chosen container, it's possible to have them flourishing.

And if it threatens to get too cold, too windy or too hot for their liking, just move them, pot and all, to a more suitable site.

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The same applies to plants which hate an acidic soil – pop them in a container of alkaline compost and watch them thrive.

The only drawback to this form of gardening is that you have to ensure the plants are kept well fed and watered.

But it's a small price to pay for being able to grow and enjoy a huge variety of shrubs.

Alternatively, pack pots with spring-flowering bulbs, and once they have finished flowering, replant with summer annuals – remembering that they will need some form of protection until the threat of frost has passed.

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And when they have called it a day, replace them with evergreens like ivies and dwarf conifers or even winter-flowering heathers and pansies.

And you don't even need conventional planters; if you have a particularly sunny patio, grow sweet peas, tomatoes, peppers and even lilies in growing-bags. Cut the bags in half and then stand them on their ends to give a couple of deep and economical containers. The patio is a place to be enjoyed all year round, so try to keep it clean – scrub off algae, hose away grime and any spilt soil, and kill weeds before they have chance to feel at home.

Decking may have covered hundreds of acres since TV garden programmes gave it unprecedented publicity, but the patio will never lose its appeal.

For something so permanent, it's very flexible, allowing you to have a movable feast with plants.

And it's not made of wood – so think of all those trees you're saving.

YP MAG 24/7/10