I'm just trying to work out what the benefit might be in doing what you've done, but its beyond me. There can be a benefit when its non hardy plants - burying the pots and lifting them in autumn for protection in the greenhouse or wherever is a common practice, but chrysanthemums are hardy. The problem is that plants in pots under the soil root through the bottom into the open ground, so if you ever wanted to plant them properly, you won't be able to.

I must say I'd have planted them straight into the soil - after I'd improved it by digging over, removing any weeds and adding humus rich material (garden compost, soil improving mixes from the garden centre such as composted animal manure, etc.) If, though, the plants were very small, it might have been best to pot them into larger pots and wait till they were bigger and then plant them direct into the ground, so perhaps your neighbour realised they weren't large enough to cope on their own. Note that raised beds dry out quicker, so that might be what the problem is with growing things in it - lack of water.

hi bamboo, it was recommended because of the wind that comes through the gap where the raised area is , but as you say there isn't a lot of point, the raised area has been well dug over and fertilized before i planted the pots, it was for ease really , i will take your advise and plant them in to there places, they were quite small when they came but they are growing now and need to be potted on,
thanks for you good advice as usual Bamboo

I still don't see how being in pots helps with wind coming over the plants - that wind will, though, also dry out the bed... Can you not put some screening over the gap, preferably something with holes in it to filter the wind rather than block it completely, something like split bamboo or woven fencing or even fine mesh, otherwise you might find your chrysanths, as they get tall, get their stems flattened...

Clicked comment box by mistake , sorry. But now I'm here, I thought the same - make some shelter from the wind.

good point boys, its time for a screen me thinks, makes sense, im keen but i constantly need advise, more for reassurance purposes really. Ive come to find gardening has a share of confidence in it, the confidence to do something knowing your doing it right. I will get there in the end, hoping to put up some pictures soon and take part a bit more

thanks again

steve

bamboo and stergram are girls but I don't think they'll mind :o)

Oh im so sorry, well ladies its time to build my screen, have fun in your garden, and please accept my heartfelt apologies regarding your gender

Well, I used to be a girl, now I'm just an older person, my gender (as far as I'm concerned) is an irrelevance, particularly professionally!

us more mature women need to stick together :o)

Yes I used to be a girl as well, as far as I can remember -- no need for apologies Monkey, we don't mind at all.