Martin Fish’s masterclass on planting summer hanging baskets
It’s simple to create your own sensational summer displays and they’re easy to look after too
In summer, hanging baskets take some beating. When planted with a selection of summer flowers and foliage they can look stunning and will provide masses of colour from June through until the end of September. Although you can buy ready planted baskets, planting your own means you can include your favourites and it’ll save you money. Planting is simple and young plants are readily available at this time of the year from nurseries and garden centres. Nowadays the choice of basket and container plants is huge and whatever colour scheme you go for, you’ll find plenty to suit.
As for the actual hanging baskets, they come in many shapes and sizes. Some are solid containers that are simply filled with compost and planted. Others are a wire or steel basket that needs to be lined to retain the compost. Traditionally moss was used for this, although it’s now ge ing more difficult to find. Alternatives include woollen waste, woven ground cover fabric or coir liners moulded to the shape of the basket. All work perfectly well and when the plants have grown and trailed down the side of the basket, the liner will be hidden.
When planting, bear in mind that most of the plants are tender and you shouldn’t hang the baskets outside until the danger of frost has passed. After planting, keep it protected in a light position such as a cold greenhouse or against a sunny wall of the house for a while to establish.
Once hung on its bracket, always keep the compost moist and increase the frequency of watering as the plants grow and the weather warms up.