Bedding planting in Exeter
Professional bedding planting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Bedding plants properly spaced and planted out for instant garden colour. Old plants cleared, soil prepped, new plants in and watered - seasonal displays done right.
Instant Garden Colour in an Afternoon
Nothing transforms a dull garden faster than bedding plants. Fresh spring colour after winter, or vibrant summer displays - seasonal bedding gives you that just-finished look all year round.
💡 Pro tip: Bedding plants are high-impact, low-commitment. Don't like petunias? Try something else next season. Perfect for experimenting with colour schemes.
Why Proper Planting Matters
Spacing, depth, and watering - get these wrong and your bedding struggles or dies. Get them right and you'll have months of colour.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Plants spaced for mature size | Crammed in too tight, compete for water |
| Planted at correct depth | Too deep (stem rot) or too shallow (dry out) |
| Soil improved with compost | Shoved into compacted soil |
| Thoroughly watered after planting | Left dry, half of them die in the first week |
What You Get
🔧 The Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Clear | Old bedding removed, soil turned over |
| Prep | Quick compost mix-in if soil needs it |
| Plant | New bedding set out, spaced properly, planted |
| Water | Everything thoroughly watered in |
📦 You're Left With
- Instant colour in your beds
- Plants properly spaced to grow
- Clean edges and tidied borders
- Old bedding cleared away
Pricing Guide
| Bed Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small front bed (couple of trays) | 45-60 mins | £60 |
| Average beds (4-6 trays) | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Large beds or multiple areas | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Plant costs extra if I'm supplying them.
Perfect For...
✅ Seasonal swaps - spring to summer, summer to autumn displays
✅ Special occasions - want the garden looking brilliant for an event
✅ New homeowners - instant colour while you plan long-term planting
✅ Containers & hanging baskets - freshen up pots and planters
Why Choose Us for Bedding planting in Exeter?
Plants properly spaced for growth
Soil prepared before planting
Everything watered in well
Advice on ongoing care
What to Expect
Step 1: Clear The Old
Pull out whatever's there - dead summer bedding, tired spring displays, or just weeds. Turn the soil over to break it up.
Step 2: Layout & Plant
Set the new plants out in their positions first so spacing looks right, then plant them one by one at the right depth.
Step 3: Water In
Thorough watering after planting settles the soil around roots and gives them the best start. I'll run through ongoing watering needs based on the season.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to do your own bedding displays? Here's how:
🔧 What you'll need
- Bedding plants (trays or individual pots)
- Trowel
- Watering can or hose
- Multi-purpose compost (optional but helpful)
- Slow-release fertiliser granules (optional)
🌸 Popular bedding choices
Spring/Winter:
- Pansies - tough, colourful, flower all winter
- Primulas - early spring colour
- Wallflowers - scented, great in older gardens
- Winter-flowering heathers
Summer:
- Petunias - vibrant, great for containers
- Begonias - shade-tolerant, reliable
- Salvias - loved by bees, long-flowering
- Geraniums - classic, drought-tolerant once established
📐 Getting it right
- Clear the bed completely - old plants, weeds, debris
- Turn over the soil with a fork
- Mix in some compost if the soil's poor
- Set plants out in their positions first - don't plant yet!
- Step back and check spacing looks even
- Plant at the same depth they were in their pots
- Firm soil gently around each plant
- Water thoroughly (not just a sprinkle - properly soak them in)
💧 Spacing guide
- Most bedding: 20-25cm apart
- Compact varieties: 15-20cm
- Spreading types (petunias): 30cm
- Too close = competition for water and nutrients
- Too far = gaps for ages while they fill in
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Planting summer bedding too early (frost kills them)
- Not watering enough in the first week
- Mixing plants that need different conditions
- Forgetting to feed - bedding needs fertiliser for constant flowers
- Not deadheading (removing spent flowers) - reduces flowering
💡 Pro trick: Plant in odd numbers (groups of 3, 5, 7) - looks more natural than even numbers. And stagger heights - tall at back, short at front, unless it's a bed viewed from all sides.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌡️ Timing is everything: Summer bedding before last frost = dead plants. Spring bedding too late = you miss the display. Check local frost dates (usually mid-May for Devon, but varies).
Container planting? Same service - I can plant up pots, planters, hanging baskets, window boxes. Just include that when you ask for a quote.
Want it to last? Regular deadheading (removing dead flowers) and weekly feeding with liquid fertiliser keeps bedding flowering for months. I can show you what to deadhead if you're not sure.
Colour schemes? Single colours look more sophisticated (all white, all purple, etc.). Mixed trays look more cottage garden. Complementary colours (orange and purple, yellow and blue) are punchy. Your choice!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many plants will I need?
Depends on the size of your beds and how full you want them. As a rough guide, most bedding plants need 20-25cm spacing, so you'll get about 15-20 plants per square metre. I can work out numbers for you.
Should I buy the plants or can you get them?
Either works. If you've already bought them, I'll plant what you've got. If not, tell me what you want and I can pick them up from the garden centre - just add the cost of plants to the labour.
What's the best time to plant bedding?
Spring bedding goes in October-November for winter/spring colour. Summer bedding goes in late May after last frosts for summer colour. Planting at the right time makes a huge difference to how well they do.
Will you remove the old bedding first?
Yes - I'll clear out whatever's there, give the soil a quick turn over, and plant the new stuff. If the beds are absolutely choked with weeds, that might need doing as a separate clearance job first.
How long will the bedding last?
Spring bedding (pansies, primulas, etc.) lasts from autumn through to May. Summer bedding (petunias, begonias, etc.) lasts from May to first frosts. Basically one display per season, then swap it out.
Bedding planting Also Available In:
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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