Mainly for those of you with ornamental gardens rather than lotties although i suppose it could be adapted for allotment planting
I just have to share with you a tip i use when planting or replanting larger plants particularly shrubs.
When i finish planting the plant and before i water or mulch, i raise up a 'dam' of soil around the plant just a little larger than the rootball. This creates a 'crater' around the plant. Then on watering the 'crater' can be filled up with water in the knowledge that the water will get straight to the plant roots where it is needed rather than running off the soil surface. Once the water has soaked in a mulch of compost can be applied to seal the moisture in and keep weeds down. Once the plant is established the soil can be leveled off around the plant.
I guess on the allotment this could be used when planting fruit trees and bushes, or around thirsty crops such as marrows/courgettes or squashes.