Of old crocks and trees

By John Warrington

Everyone I suppose has come across the term ‘old crock.’ When applied to humans it is generally a disparaging term. I have been describing the England cricket team over the last few years as a load of old crocks. I have been described as an old crock myself! However in gardening the term ‘old crock’ has great significance, and is nearly always important.

I have mentioned many times just how important drainage is for the successful growing of plants, excluding of course those which grow naturally in swamps or ponds. Deep forking over the lawns during rainy conditions, mulching borders and single specimen shrubs and trees, and incorporating composts into the soil at the base of holes before planting are a few important techniques. I have said nothing about good drainage in pot plants until now.