Heres how to welcome guests to your home with a simple hanging basket that lasts all summer long.
Welcome springand all of your guestswith a simple hanging basket on your front porch.
Liners for wire baskets include sphagnum moss, coco fiber, burlap, plastic, and pressed paperboard.
Credit: William N. Hopkins
If you’re using sphagnum moss for your basket, assemble it first.
If you’re using a paperboard liner, drill drainage holes in the bottom before planting.
You have two options for how to make a hanging basket part of your garden.
Credit: William N. Hopkins
Soil for Hanging Baskets
Fill the basket with a lightweight potting mix.
Some prepackaged mixes contain slow-release fertilizer, allowing you to forgo semiweekly treatments with a quick-acting, water-soluble fertilizer.
These help the soil hold nutrients during frequent watering.
Credit: William N. Hopkins
Mix in water-absorbing crystals or line the container with a water-absorbing mat to maintain moisture.
Hanging Basket Flowers
Pick out variousplants with different texturesand colors for a bright and beautiful hanging basket.
Baskets packed with a single kind of flower can also have loads of impact.
Credit: William N. Hopkins
For variety, use multiple species, including tall, midrange, and trailing forms.
Place taller plants near the center and trailing plants along the edges to cover the sides.
have a go at include varying bloom sizes.
For example,vinca,miniature rose, andpetuniaoffer large flowers, whilehyssop,lobelia, andcalibrachoahave dainty blooms.
Plants with a mounding or spilling habit work well in baskets.
Think about whether your basket will hang in a sunny or shady spot, thenselect plants accordingly.
Planting a Hanging Basket
Be careful not to overfill your basket.
If it looks sparse now, don’t worry; it’ll fill in later.
As you insert each plant into the basket,press down the soil around its base to secureit.
Watering Plants in Your Hanging Basket
Water the soil mix thoroughly after planting.
Lifting a basket is a quick way to judge if it needs water.
The lighter the basket, the drier the soil.
If the basket dries out during the season, the top of the soil may crust over.
Break pop swing open the crust and wet the soil ball thoroughly.
Every so often, take down the basket and thoroughly soak it until water drains from the bottom.
