Caring for Hanging Baskets
With a bit of care, you can enjoy your hanging baskets and patio pots right into the fall. Ensure your hanging basket stays in great condition throughout the entire summer by following a few easy steps.
Location
From sun to shade, there is a plant for any location. However, not all plants thrive in the same conditions, so it’s important to choose the right plant for your chosen spot. The location is usually broken down into three categories:
Hanging Baskets for Full Sun
Full sun locations receive the most of the afternoon heat, typically 6-8 hours of direct sun. Plants in these spots need to be able to tolerate heat and bright sunlight. Geraniums, Portulaca, Osteospermum Daisies, and Scaevola are excellent choices for hanging baskets in full sun. Just remember that the more direct sunlight, the more frequently you’ll need to water.
Hanging Baskets for Part Sun
Part sun locations have protection from the afternoon sun, offering less than 6 hours of direct sunlight. These areas are perfect for plants that can tolerate some sunlight but need a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day. Petunias, New Guinea Impatiens, and Million Bells are great for part-sun hanging baskets.
Hanging Baskets for Indirect Light
In locations with filtered sun to shade, plants receive no direct sun but mostly indirect light. This is ideal for plants that prefer cooler, more sheltered environments. Begonias, Fuchsias, and Impatiens thrive in hanging baskets with indirect light. Be mindful of excessive heat, as it can stress these plants and shorten their flowering period.
Watering and Fertilizing
Watering your plants should not be taken lightly, just like your plants need a regular supply of water to stay healthy. Ideally, you should water your plants early in the day in the warmer weather and not wait until your plants start to wilt before watering. Baskets hung in a windy or drafty area will need to be watered more often as the wind will dry out the soil. Allowing the soil to dry out before watering is also good for the health of the plant. Constantly wet soil will cause the roots to rot.
Fertilize your baskets every 10-14 days with a liquid fertilizer such as 15-30-15 or similar fertilizer. Slow-release fertilizers, like a granular 14-14-14, can also be used in between fertilizing. This fertilizer can feed your basket for up to 6 months. I would recommend using both fertilizers for beautiful, healthy plants.
Maintenance
As your basket continues to grow, it may require pruning and deadheading (removal of spent blooms) to improve its appearance. Simply pinching the spent blooms back at the base of the stem will encourage new blooms. It is also common for plants to get too leggy. Pruning long stems will promote new growth and make your plants fill out.
