How to Plant a Hanging Basket
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.
Difficulty Rating:
Time Length: 1 hour
Time of the Year: Apr, May, Jun
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 through the liner or cut it easily so that you can position plants through the sides of the basket and underneath.
Add a circle of polythene or a plastic saucer to the inside of the liner, this will stop excess water from running straight out the basket and also act as a reservoir, helping to trap and retain vital moisture.
Half fill the basket with West+ Container & Basket Compost, West+ All Purpose Compost & 4 month feed, or West+ Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost. Mix in some Nutri Slow Release Plant Food to ensure that your plants have sufficient food for up to 6 months.
When using 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. Add some more compost and plant another layer of plants through the sides of the basket all the way round. Finally fill the basket almost to the top with more compost and add another layer of plants.
Top up the basket with more compost until it is full. Plant a selection of trailing plants around the edge of the basket and a few upright plants in the centre. Firm them in gently.
Water well and keep in a light, frost-free place to establish. Place outside after all danger of frost has passed.
