Caring for Those Hanging Baskets
Many Moms received hanging baskets for Mother's Day and now it is time to keep them looking beautiful for the rest of the summer. After these beauties are taken home it isn't long when the beauty isn't looking so beautiful if they aren't given some basic care. It really isn't that difficult to keep those planters and baskets looking good for the summer. Here is what you need to do.
Watering is a key issue. The first thing to do is to water the plants properly. If you still happen to have a couple of the recent issues of this newspaper with the gardening column you will find a review about proper watering. We will not go into all those details here but just mention the critical points that need to be followed to keep your basket or container garden looking good. Keep the soil moist, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings is good as long as the soil does not get so dry that it shrinks away from the walls of the container. A slight wilt is fine for the root system as long as it is not too severe. Keep in mind that rain water for watering your containers and baskets is preferred to well water in the Miami Valley as we have very hard water that is unfavorable to many plants. One of the solutions to the watering issue is to use the "Weekender" hanging basket that only needs to be watered once every 3 or 4 days with summer temperatures. There is a built in water reservoir in these baskets.
Feeding the plants is next in line. Some garden centers will add a Slow Release fertilizer like Osmocote at check out to feed your plant for several weeks. If you purchase plants where this service is not offered then you will have to apply Osmocote or some similar fertilizer or feed the plants with a water soluble fertilizer like Jack's twice a week.
Grooming your container or hanging basket is very important. Please do not confuse this with "dead-heading". Think of it as something you do regularly, like giving your hair the 'do'. Some plants don't require as much attention as others so just watch their development and if your baskets or planters seem to be getting a little straggly then it is time to give them a little pruning. This will keep your plants nice and full and your plants will have many more flowers and an attractive shape. Grooming is cutting the stems of some plants like petunias, lantana, and million bells, back 2 - 4". If you do this regularly when the plants need it, using a random pattern, you will not notice the "tipping" of the stems and your plants will continue to bloom profusely with a nice compact shape.
Remember, plants are living things and we all need a little attention from time to time, now don't we?
Send your gardening questions to info@meadowview.com and we will get back to you post haste.
Your gardening team,
Meadow View Growers
Growing for over 33 years