Potting on Sweet Williams

In the soft light of the Potting Shed, Archie begins the careful task of potting on Sweet Williams, giving each plant its own space to grow.

The Potting Shed, once described as the beating heart of any Victorian garden, still carries that same timeless rhythm today. In the nineteenth century these sheds were more than workrooms, they were places of quiet industry where gardeners stored seeds in paper packets, mixed soil recipes in enamel pans, and carefully tended to the countless plants that would fill borders and glasshouses. Their function was part science, part craft, and part sanctuary.

Sweet Williams (Dianthus barbatus) have long been a cottage garden favourite, admired for their clusters of brightly coloured flowers and sweet clove-like fragrance. Traditionally sown in summer for flowering the following year, these plants benefit from being potted on now so that roots have space to grow strong before autumn sets in. Giving each plant its own pot reduces overcrowding, helps prevent disease, and ensures a sturdy start.

At this time of year, it is important to keep compost just moist, allowing seedlings to establish without sitting in waterlogged soil. Good airflow around the pots will also keep mildew at bay, while pinching out the tips can encourage bushier plants that will reward the gardener with fuller blooms come late spring.

As Archie works quietly at the bench, the moment feels tied to the many gardeners who have stood in this very shed before, performing the same simple task with patience and care. From Victorian times to today, potting is a ritual that carries both practicality and promise, holding within it the beauty of next year’s garden.