How to Plant a Wire Hanging Basket

Hanging Plants make a big impact on the visual interest of your house and garden. They add flair to your landscape and can sometimes double, or even triple your gardening space. Here is an easy way to plant a wire hanging basket that adds a LOT of dramatic pop and color to your garden or porch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wire hanging baskets
• rubber gloves
• scissors
• plastic liner
• potting soil
• coconut liner or dry sphagnum moss
• some beautiful plants appropriate for the amount of light for where you want to hang your basket

1. Either dampen the moss and use it to line the wire basket or insert the coconut liner. If using the moss, be sure to press it firmly into the spaces between the wires, filling them completely.
2. Line the moss or coconut liner with a sheet of plastic as a moisture barrier. Cut it to shape, position it, and punch drain holes in its center. Hide its edges under the moss.
3. Cut slits through the plastic at each planting location to insert the plant roots through the hanging basket's sides. If using a coconut liner, you will probably have to cut a slit in that as well. Thread the roots of the plant through the plastic and the moss or coconut liner to the basket's open interior. Complete the insertion of the plants where you want them on the sides of the basket.
4. Fill the frame's center with potting soil. Firm it around the roots of the plants by pressing it down with your open palms.
5. Now, open planting holes in the soil in the top of the basket with your fingers. Place trailing plants at the rim and taller ones in the center. Water thoroughly after planting and keep evenly moist until new growth appears, then water when the soil becomes dry but before your plants start to wilt.

Tips & Warnings

• The best plants to hang are those with trailing or drooping foliage.
• These baskets will dry out quickly so water them often, daily in hot weather.
• Promote thick, rich growth by feeding them every two weeks.
• Be sure to prune and deadhead to promote lots of flowering.
• Be sure to hang on a sturdy hook or fastener cause they will be HEAVY when watered!