How to Make Hanging Baskets
Lush hanging baskets bursting with color and layered with trailing ivy or fresh blooms--you see them everywhere and consider them a great addition to outside décor. But how easy are they to put together? What is the secret to getting them to flourish? What kind of after-care do they really need? Whether you are an avid gardener or a first-time novice, the following article should answer all of your questions. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Wire hanging basket, 14-inch or 16-inch suggested
- Basket liner: long-fibered sphagnum moss, coca fiber (coir), pressed paperboard
- Slow-release fertilizer
- Potting soil containing water retention beads
- Small trowel
- Small tray or plastic lid from a wide-mouthed jar
- Variety of annuals, ivy and mosses
- Liquid fertilizer or seaweed fertilizer
- Bone meal (optional)
- Large-mouthed flowerpot
- Extra bucket or bowl
- Water
- Watering wand
- Electric drill
- Hooks
Instructions
-
-
1
Gather all of the supplies. Place the wire basket inside a large flowerpot to help support it while you work, especially if it has a round bottom. Make sure that you can work from all sides.
-
2
Mix your soil and fertilizer together. Add any additions, such as bone meal. Place your moss into a bowl or bucket of water to soak.
-
-
3
Move plants around in an arrangement until you have hit upon the right color assortment and design. Don't be afraid to mix colors and always add in a pure green element, such as trailing ivy. Bear in mind that a hanging basket is viewed largely from the bottom and sides, so plan your design with that in mind.
-
4
Gently squeeze water from the moss or moss liner. Press it into the container bottom and then wallpaper the sides, pressing from the inside with one hand, pressing on the outside with the other--work toward a minimum 1-inch thickness or more. Overlap the layers to prevent soil from seeping out.
-
5
Match plants for similar light, moisture and height requirements. If you buy in four-packs or six-packs, it will save money. Plant suggestions include silver licorice, trailing lobelia, sweet alyssum, verbena, trailing petunias, hanging begonias, dwarf heliotrope, variegated ivy, trailing fuchsias, creeping jenny and coleus.
-
6
Plant in layers and stagger the arrangement in each level. Add a row of plants in the bottom--ivy would be good. Make some slits in the sides and gently pull some strands through. Place a row of prepared soil over this planting and press to remove the air pockets. You can nestle a small lid into the middle to act as a saucer to help catch water. Add more prepared soil.
Place another row of hanging or trailing-type plants. You can make a few more slight slips on the sides of the basket and send hardy shoots through (wrap top of plant lightly with plastic wrap and pull through). Cover well with more soil. Pinch plant stems back if needed. Plant your last layer, which is reserved for straight-up blooms or plants with height. The soil should come to about 3/4-inch below the top rim. Space 3 to 4 inches apart.
-
7
Water thoroughly and hang immediately so that the blooms won't be crushed. You will need to stick your finger into soil one knuckle deep to check for dryness. If this is not possible, water daily. After the basket is established, you can drench it. Once a week, use your liquid fertilizer.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Line your car trunk with newspaper before picking plants and choose moist plants. A wire basket with galvanized plastic coating will hold up longer. Larger sized baskets over 18-inches look impressive, but consider the hanging weight. Hang the basket by wiring them onto the hooks, which will prevent them from falling during a storm. The fixture should be put into solid wood and choose a bracket that is rated for that weight. A rotating hanger will allow you to turn basket 360 degrees for optimum sun exposure.
Baskets are exposed and dry out from wind quickly. Expect to water them up to three times on a hot summer day. Watering often disburses fertilizer. Anticipate applying water-soluble fertilizer once a month.
Resources
- Photo Credit Clipart.com
