Many people love hanging baskets. They love hanging them on the porch, patio, in their gardens, around their pool. There are hundreds of varieties of hanging baskets, so there is a basket for any location.
Since mid-April, we have sold thousands of hanging baskets. Blooming hanging baskets are a staple for adding color. Although they are an instant way to add some color to the outdoor space, they do require a bit more care to stay looking their best.
Here are some hanging basket care tips that you may find helpful:
Watering
Proper watering is probably the most important factor in hanging basket care. There are a lot of plants and a lot of roots contained within a relatively small soil volume which means baskets can dry out very quickly on these hot, summer days. You want to water BEFORE the plant begins to wilt in the heat. Also, ideally, you want to water early in the morning before it gets hot. You want to water thoroughly and slowly until the excess water starts coming out of the drain holes. When this happens you know that you have totally saturated the soil.
Fertilizing
With any plants in some form of container, the volume of soil does not change and is limited by the size of the container – in this case a hanging basket. As time goes on the container becomes more roots than soil. So, it is paramount to fertilize baskets on a timely manner. Most hanging baskets that you purchase retail will contain Osmocote fertilizing pellets on top of the soil. Check to see if your basket has Osmocote. If not, then a liquid fertilizer is great. You want a fertilizer that has a higher middle number. The middle number represents phosphate. Phosphate is needed for root structure and blossom setting. I recommend fertilizing your hanging baskets once every couple of weeks.
Pruning
The third important component to a beautiful, healthy, blooming hanging basket has to do with maintenance. I am referring to the nursery term “dead-heading”. Dead-heading is doing week trimming off the old’ spent blooms. After a couple of months most blooming hanging baskets can benefit by being given a “haircut”. With a haircut, the plants will be invigorated to put our more new branches and flowers which will give you a full, fresh look.
Follow these 3 simple steps and you will have beautiful blooming hanging baskets all summer long and into the upcoming fall season.
Now, many people go on vacation in the summer. Hanging baskets cannot be neglected for a very long time and expect to survive. Some people will have friends or family come to take care of their plants while away. One possible trick is to take down the hanging baskets and put on the ground. You could even bury the pots into some mulch in order to shade and insulate the roots. If you do this trick then be sure to thoroughly water the hanging baskets the morning before leaving.
I know caring for and keeping flowering hanging baskets looking good all summer can be a challenge. We are all challenged this time of year.
HANG IN THERE!!!!!!!!!!