Hanging baskets are deceptive. They seem like they’d be easy to maintain, but did you know they actually require a more regimented care schedule? Plants in hanging baskets have access to a smaller volume of soil than those found in the ground. This leaves plants vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies, crowding, and drying out.
However, the beauty of colorful flowers and trailing leaves is well worth the disciplined care. Are you wondering how to keep your hanging baskets looking good all season long? Then how about some advice from lawn care service experts in the Cumming, GA area.
Here are our top five musts to keep your hanging basket looking fresh.
1. Read the Care Tag
It sounds simple, but most people just end up putting their hanging baskets where they look best. Know where you want to have your hanging basket and assess the conditions of that outdoor space.
A sun-loving plant will do well in a sunny spot, while a shade-loving plant will need some cover. Make sure to buy the right plant for your conditions. That’s the first step to success.
2. Have a Fertilizing Schedule
It is important to keep your hanging baskets supplemented as they deplete nutrients throughout the season. Because they aren’t in the ground, plants can’t expand past their pot when the soil becomes lacking.
Fertilize the plants consistently for steady, beautiful growth. We recommend using a slow-release fertilizer like worm castings on the topsoil layer. Liquid fertilizer can be used monthly to reach those deeper roots.
3. Water Regularly in the Morning
Hanging baskets are prone to dryness due to their small volume and exposure to wind. Just like they enjoy a regular fertilizing schedule, they also require consistent watering.
It is best to water your hanging baskets at the same time daily. Watering in the early morning hours is best. This allows the moisture to soak into the soil and keeps plants from wilting in the strong afternoon sun we often see in Cumming’s summers.
As the summer sun strengthens, it is also important to properly protect your hanging baskets. Check out our blog post on protecting plants in the sun and apply these same steps to your hanging baskets.
4. Remove the Dead Stuff
Your hanging basket will expend energy on all its blooms, thriving and dying. For this reason, it is important to remove any dying parts so plants can put all their nutrition and energy towards new, full blooms.
Not only will removing the dead stuff help your plant grow, but it will actually encourage new buds and more blooms. You can get multiple bloom cycles and a basket that looks fresh all season with this method.
It will also keep your plant pleasing to look at rather than a sore-looking mix of dead and live blooms.
5. Bigger Basket
As your hanging plant grows, it might need more space. A small basket suffocates roots while an oversized basket might look out of scale. Pick a basket large enough for the plant to breathe as it grows, but not so large that its stems are under the rim.
Keep Your Hanging Baskets Thriving in Cumming
If you want more direction on how to style your baskets or where to hang them for the proper sun exposure, we can help. At Atlanta Turf & Tree, we specialize in landscape design and lawn care in the Cumming area. Contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment to build your perfect outdoor space.
