Hanging Baskets

Be the envy of your neighbours and adorn your house with burgeoning baskets of flowers. For the best hanging baskets ever, plant them during April and then grow them on in a frost free protected greenhouse. As soon as the danger of frost has passed they will be so well established the plants will be starting to flower and they’ll be miles ahead of any that are planted in May and June. Drop into your local garden centre and take a look at the huge range of young plants on offer for baskets and containers. Remember that most of these plants are not hardy and need to be protected from frost.

Step 1

Make planting a basket easy and remove the chains before you start. Stand the basket on a large flowerpot or a bucket for stability while you plant. Line the wire basket with a layer of damp sphagnum moss or choose another type of liner. It is important to be able to push holes through the liner or to cut it easily so that you can position plants through the sides of the basket and underneath. Adding a circle of polythene or a plastic saucer to the inside of the liner, will stop excess water from running straight out the basket and also act as a reservoir, helping to trap and retain vital moisture.

Step 2

Half fill the basket with a quality compost. Choose West+ Advanced Compost for all Plants. This will provide consistent feeding for 5-6 weeks. Using specially grown plug plants gently push the roots through the side of the basket so that the root balls are resting on the top of compost. Plant all around the edge of the basket at this level with one layer of plants. If you haven’t used the West+ Advanced Compost, it’s a very good idea to add some Water Retaining Gel at this stage. This will hold moisture within the compost for your plants to access as the compost dries out. West+ already has innovative water retaining ingredients and doesn’t need additional support.
Add some more compost and plant another layer of plants through the sides of the basket all the way round.

Step 3
Top up the basket with more compost until it is almost full. Firm this down gently. Plant a selection of trailing plants around the edge of the basket and a few upright plants in the centre. Mix in some Feed-all Slow Release Granular Plant Food or Feed-all Slow Release Plant Food Tablets to ensure that your plants have sufficient food for up to 6 months. Replace the chains and if possible hang the basket up to grow-on in a greenhouse or frost free place. Otherwise leave it standing on a large flowerpot or bucket, so that the plants can establish. Water gently with slightly tepid water to allow the plant roots to grow into the compost. Pinch out the growing tips of the plants to make them bushier.
When all danger of frost has passed, hang your basket outside to create a stunning display.

Go back to Easy Gardening Project for Early Spring