Hanging baskets are commonly used to display flowers outside the home or in the garden, adding colour to outdoor spaces. They’re easy to plant and care for, provided they are watered and fed correctly. This is very important heading into the summer months, as they dry out fast.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said gardeners should consider how they will water their baskets before they’re even planted. They said: “Hanging baskets tend to dry out more quickly than other types of containers. Water can be easily wasted from them. If you have many baskets, you might want to consider using an automated watering system.”
If your hanging baskets are already planted and are hanging in their space, it’s important to check them daily.
Gardeners are urged to water their baskets once or twice a day unless the soil is already moist.
It’s best to water them in the morning for the best results before the sun dries them out. Evening watering can also be done, but it may attract certain pests.
The RHS said: “Drying out is an increased risk as the plants grow and days remain warm and windy. An easy way to check whether they need water is to gently lift or nudge the baskets to gauge their weight. If they feel really light, they need watering.
“Try to avoid them drying out to the point where plants start to droop, but if they do wilt, you can place a bucket underneath to capture the water that runs off and return it to the basket.
“This will save water and soluble nutrients that are needed for flowering.” If you let the compost get too dry, it can be difficult for the water to soak in, so try to keep it slightly moist.
If you water until it runs out of the bottom of the basket, the nutrients may be washed out, so the experts advise watering carefully.
Hanging baskets can benefit from an occasional feed, but it’s important to water them first.
The gardening pros explained: “Plant roots can be damaged by liquid feed that is not diluted correctly; always follow the instructions on the pack.”
If your baskets survive through summer and into autumn, they will still need watering regularly, so make sure to check the soil.
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