Caring For Hanging Baskets

Here it is, the second Sunday in May. By a presidential proclamation in 1914, Woodrow Wilson made this day a national holiday to honor our moms. Out of respect and admiration, mothers all around the country have received many handmade or commercially produced cards and gifts. Fresh cut flowers are very popular too. If you gave or received a hanging basket today, here are some tips for making the potted plants last long.

Exposure: Your hanging basket should have a tag in it indicating whether it needs full sun, partial sun, or shade. Petunias, geraniums, and calibrachoa do well in full or afternoon light. Impatiens thrives in the morning sun. Begonias are one of the best shade tolerant annuals. For balanced growth, it is good to rotate the basket every week or so.

Watering:  Hanging baskets often have many closely-spaced plants to fill out the container and their roots overtake the light potting mix.  As a result, frequent watering is necessary. Check at least once a day. In the hotter months of summer watering may be necessary a couple times a day. Keep watering the basket until water runs out of the bottom. This ensures the roots have enough moisture.

Fertilizer: Because they are in a small space and do not have any additional sources of nutrients, it is recommended that hanging baskets be fertilized regularly.  You can add a slow release product or the kind mixed with water. Look for a balanced 10-10-10 ratio and follow the directions carefully. Container plants are prone to fertilizer burn.

Deadheading: In order to keep your hanging basket looking fresh and clean, it is important to “deadhead” or remove spent blooms.  This prevents the plant from going to seed and spurs the plant to make more flowers. While some plants are self-cleaning, it is good practice to check all baskets for good health.

For more information on caring for hanging baskets, the Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County have a free publication to help you. For a copy, please contact us at 570-963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu . Also, if you would like to talk with us in person, we will be at Bill’s Ace Hardware, 921 Drinker Turnpike Covington TWP, PA 18444, every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through June 7. Come visit us.

Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Extension - Lackawanna County