HAPPY HANGING BASKETS

STEP 1 – BROWSE THE BASKETS

Before you begin planting, it’s essential to select the right basket for your space. There’s plenty to choose from in store to fit any aesthetic. Be sure to select a basket with sufficient drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and don’t forget to pick up a wall bracket so your basket can hang proud and sturdy!

STEP 2 – PICK YOUR PLANTS

When choosing plants for your hanging basket, consider the environment you’re going to keep them in. Don’t forget to use a mix of different colours and textures to create visual interest, or stick to a colour theme if that’s the look you’re going for!

STEP 3 – PREPARE TO PLANT

Line the basket with a layer of sphagnum moss or a pre–formed liner to help compact your compost and retain moisture. Fill the basket with a high-quality potting soil – it’s a bonus if it contains a slow–release fertiliser which will help provide nutrients throughout the growing season. We like to use the Rocket Gro multi purpose compost, it’s rich in bioactive microbes and slowly feeds your plants for up to 3 months!

STEP 4 – HAPPY PLANTING

It’s time to get creative! Start by planting your trailing plants around the edges of the basket to create a cascading effect. Then, fill in the center with your shorter or upright plants. Gently firm the soil around each plant to secure them in place. Your plants will naturally grow and fill out any empty space, so sit back and let the magic happen.

STEP 5 – WATER, WATER, WATER!

Water your hanging basket regularly and ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Hanging baskets won’t always catch water after a summer shower, so it’s important to keep on top of watering to ensure you don’t lose your hard work. During hot weather, you may need to water daily, while in cooler weather, watering every 2-3 days should suffice.

STEP 6 – KEEP IT BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL!

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming! Simply use your thumb and forefinger or take a sharp, clean pair or secateurs and snip away any fading blooms. This allows your plant to put its energy into creating new flowers.

JOE’S TIP

Apply a liquid fertiliser every two weeks to replenish nutrients and encourage healthy growth and vibrant blooms. We recommend using the Boost, all-purpose liquid plant food which helps achieve 4x more blooms when you follow the instructions provided on the label.

JO’S TIP

Don’t forget about the view from under the basket! Make holes or cut through the lining of your basket and add trailing plants to grow from the bottom. We love nepeta and Creeping Jenny, they grow nice and long and can be reused in your baskets each year!