Where should I plant my pinks?
Plant your pinks in an open sunny spot with space around them so they have room to grow without competition for sunlight, or they are equally happy in a container in multi-purpose compost.
What soil is suitable for pinks?
Pinks like a well-drained soil which is neutral to slightly alkaline. If your soil is not suitable then pot your pink in a large container with all-purpose potting compost.
What happens if my soil is clay?
I would advise planting your pinks in a container using a multipurpose potting compost.
How do I feed and water my pinks?
Water regularly while establishing and feed fortnightly during flowering season with a rose/tomato feed.
How do I dead head my pinks?
Deadhead regularly and when flower stem is spent remove from the base to keep the plant tidy and to encourage further flowering.
Are pinks hardy?
Pinks are frost tolerant and evergreen. As perennials, they should survive the winter and flower again the following year.
How to care for my pinks in the winter?
At the end of Autumn remove all flower stems at the base of the plant.
How do I make a Cutting garden to enjoy my pinks inside my house?
Some of us are reluctant to pick flowers from our garden but why not grow a selection of pinks specifically for this to give as gifts to friends. Planting pinks in a row of your vegetable patch or garden are be a good way to grow them.
- Prepare the ground well by digging and removing weeds.
- Plant the plants 10”-12” apart in rows.
- As the plants begin to produce flower shoots, feed fortnightly with tomato fertiliser.
- Pick the flowers when they are breaking colour.
- Snap the stem at the node (joint) close to the base. If the stem is tough, cut them with scissors or a knife to avoid damaging the plant.
- Water at the base to avoid damage to the blooms.
My pinks sit in a sunny spot and I water them daily however the bud has gone brown and is empty.
This can often be caused by a caterpillar eating the bud from this inside.
Alternatively, the plant could be lacking in nutrients. To battle this, try a feed using a fertiliser with plenty of Potash and trace elements and feed regularly during the flowering season.
How do I deal with moths?
Moths will turn your buds brown and unfortunately you cannot prevent it. A product available in the garden centre should solve the problem once you have noticed the change in colour to brown. A good choice would be one used to treat pea moth.
Pests
If your plant is looking sickly, look at the centre of the plant. Aphids may be the culprit, especially in early Spring, so start feeding to keep plant strong. Also rabbits and mice can be a nuisance, as can slugs, who can strip the stems and cause flowers to abort. Consult your local garden centre for advice.