Hanging baskets can bring an area of your backyard or front porch to life. Whether you receive one as a gift, buy one pre-arranged at a local garden center, or make your own, it’s going to need extra care to retain its beauty during hotter summer months.
Here are a few tips to help you keep your hanging baskets looking great:
- First, decide where you’re going to hang the basket (in the sun or shade). Then, choose a plant for those conditions.
- Keep baskets watered. In the heat of the summer (July and August) it may be necessary to water twice a day. Try to water early in the morning and late in the evening. Avoid watering mid-day when possible.
- Don’t let your hanging baskets dry out completely between waterings because it will stress the plant. Stressed plants are targets for insects and diseases and you could see a reduction in blooms.
- Feed plants every 2 weeks with Protilizer® or Natural Alternative® Organic All-Purpose Plant Food 5-5-5. Some plants are veracious eaters and need a lot of nutrients. Million Bells and Petunias love to be fed weekly.
- Remove spent blooms as needed (deadheading). Time-saving gardening tip: Million Bells, Fushia, and Santa Cruz Sunset Begonias self-dead-head along with some petunia varieties. Ask your local gardener which self-dead-heading flowers they have in stock that will thrive in your area.
