How to fill small pots in the garden so they survive the summer

Wondering how to fill small pots in the garden? It isn’t as simple as gathering soil from the border – but there is a right way to top them up.

There are plenty of ways to fill the bottom of a large planter, but small pots don’t have as much room for trial and error. They’re far more susceptible to drying out, and because space is limited, it isn’t unusual for heavier soils to suffocate the plants growing in them.

I’ve got a few small pots to fill in my own garden, so I set out to find out the best ways to fill them (and ensure I don’t accidentally kill my plants!). Here’s what the experts recommend.