If you have not tried to create an attractive hanging basket this would appear to be an easy enough project. On the other hand if you have tried and been disappointed with the result you will have discovered that it is not as easy as it looks. This article by Kathy Woodard which I found on The Garden Glove website reveals the five secrets to success with hanging baskets.
If you’ve ever taken a vacation in a Disney park, or visited a summer resort, or walked down main street of the most charming small towns in America… you’ve probably been awed by some pretty amazing hanging basket planters. And let’s face it – you tried to reproduce said baskets, and failed miserably, right? We. Have. Been There. But then we learned these 5 success secrets for hanging baskets that make the pros “in the know”, and can make you the envy of your block. Yep, you really can have those lush, full, awe inspiring hanging baskets in your own garden with these tips and tricks! Photo by ‘State by State Gardening‘.
Secrets and Steps to Planting Hanging Baskets
The first thing that you have to remember is that if you want those professional looking, lush hanging baskets, all of these secrets are equally important and work together. If one part of the “system” fails, chances are good that none of the other secrets are gonna save you. But no worries, none of these are tough, fellow gardeners! Photo of this shade hanging basket of asparagus fern, ivy and coral bells by ‘Gardeners Supply‘.
Secret #1 – Choose your container.
This is a lot more important than just style choice. If you want simple cascading pots, choose regular hanging pots. If you want those amazing living flower globes that hang from the streets in those awe inspiring European hamlets, then you want a container that is either wire with a fiber liner, or a pot with holes throughout its body made specifically for this purpose. This allows you to place plants all through the sides and bottom of the container, which gives that full living globe look. This photo from ‘Fine Gardening‘ shows how to cut holes in the fiber liner and place plants all around the container. There are also several commercial planter systems for growing full “flower globes”, such as the Flower Pouch.
Secret #2 – Choose Your Soil
Using a high quality potting mix is vital to successful hanging baskets. Choose a lightweight mix that commercial growers in your area recommend, and then add water holding polymer crystals available in any garden center. (Many potting soils come with them already in the mix.) Do NOT buy generic or budget potting soil. One of our favorite soils is called ‘Black Magic’.
Article source: http://www.gardenpicsandtips.com/the-5-secrets-for-success-with-hanging-baskets/
