The growing season is getting into full swing and the garden centres are starting to stock the plants that will eventually fill your baskets and containers (unless you are growing your own of course!) Old baskets and containers can be dusted down from their winter storage places. If you have left the containers full of old compost throw it on the garden or into the compost bin and start with a fresh mix. Check the condition of the baskets. When the baskets are full of plants, soil and water they can get very heavy. Make sure that the chains are in tiptop condition; if you are in doubt the DIY stores sell replacements (Coyles have some very nice wicker effect baskets with chains and liner attached for under 6 euro). Some plastic window boxes are prone to getting brittle, especially if you leave them outside to endure the elements. The edges can get sharp and could rip clothing as you brush past them so you might like to invest in some new ones this year if this is the case. Now that you have the containers you can think about filling them.
MAKING UP HANGING BASKETS
To get started making your own baskets you will need the following: A basket, basket liner or moss, plants, slow release fertilizer granules and some water retaining granules (optional).
First rest the basket onto a bucket or pot for a good base when working. Make sure the plants have been well watered before starting too. Line the basket. I used coco fibre liners last year; they have holes already in the sides, which saved me having to use my brain to get the plants evenly spaced. If you are using moss, then line the basket to halfway up the sides. There are no fixed rules on plants to use, but you won’t go far wrong putting three or six plants (or clumps if you use Lobelia) through the side of the basket. Trailing plants also look effective. Then line the moss to the top of the basket and fill with compost. Add slow release fertilizer granules and moisture retaining granules if needed.
Put a tall plant in the centre, such as a begonia or a pelargonium (geranium) and lower growing plants around it. If using trailing plants on the top of the basket, put them 6cm (2in) from the edge. They will fill out nicely by the time they trail over the edge of the basket. If you do buy the plants from the garden centres it is still early days for annual plants. Harden them off for a few days in a sheltered spot before you plant them up
Once planted, water thoroughly, allow to soak, and then water again. Protect from strong sunlight for a few days and take them in if there is a frost or a very cold wind like we had last week. Deadhead the flowers regularly and water them frequently (They will need watering even if the weather is cloudy and wet in summer) and liquid feed when the plants look as though they need perking up.
MAKING UP HANGING BASKETS
To get started making your own baskets you will need the following: A basket, basket liner or moss, plants, slow release fertilizer granules and some water retaining granules (optional).
First rest the basket onto a bucket or pot for a good base when working. Make sure the plants have been well watered before starting too. Line the basket. I used coco fibre liners last year; they have holes already in the sides, which saved me having to use my brain to get the plants evenly spaced. If you are using moss, then line the basket to halfway up the sides. There are no fixed rules on plants to use, but you won’t go far wrong putting three or six plants (or clumps if you use Lobelia) through the side of the basket. Trailing plants also look effective. Then line the moss to the top of the basket and fill with compost. Add slow release fertilizer granules and moisture retaining granules if needed.
Put a tall plant in the centre, such as a begonia or a pelargonium (geranium) and lower growing plants around it. If using trailing plants on the top of the basket, put them 6cm (2in) from the edge. They will fill out nicely by the time they trail over the edge of the basket. If you do buy the plants from the garden centres it is still early days for annual plants. Harden them off for a few days in a sheltered spot before you plant them up
Once planted, water thoroughly, allow to soak, and then water again. Protect from strong sunlight for a few days and take them in if there is a frost or a very cold wind like we had last week. Deadhead the flowers regularly and water them frequently (They will need watering even if the weather is cloudy and wet in summer) and liquid feed when the plants look as though they need perking up.
Tip- If you use moss peat and the basket does dry out, no amount of watering will wet the inside of the soil. Take down the basket and place it in a large container full of water, leave it until it is just about to sink, then pull it out. This sounds drastic, but it will save the plants! Alternatively you could use a John Innes soil based compost or mix some weed free garden soil into your peat. This will soak up the water without resorting to drowning the baskets in a bucket.
Horticultural.
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