By APRIL CASE, RIDGECREST GARDEN CENTER
At the garden center, spring is in full swing, and you’ve likely noticed the abundance of gorgeous hanging baskets on display. While they may look effortless, many people find it surprisingly challenging to keep their baskets full, vibrant, and blooming all season long.
The most common issues are improper placement, inconsistent watering, and lack of fertilization.
It helps to remember that plants are living things, just like us, and they need the right environment and nutrients to truly thrive. Here at the shop, we like to keep things simple when guiding customers, so here are a few key tips to help your hanging baskets look their very best.
First, it’s important to know whether you’re choosing a sun-loving or shade basket. Sun baskets often include varieties like scabiosa, lantana, purslane, million bells, petunias, and geraniums. These need at least five hours of direct sunlight each day to perform well.
Shade baskets, on the other hand, are typically filled with begonias, impatiens, New Guinea impatiens, fuchsias, or torenia. These plants prefer morning sun or filtered light and should be protected from the hot afternoon sun, especially after 12 p.m.
Another key to keeping your baskets blooming is deadheading. This simply means removing spent blooms by pinching them off just behind the flower head. When a plant starts producing seeds, it believes its job is done and will slow down or even stop producing new blooms. Regular trimming encourages fuller growth and continuous flowering.
Watering is where most people run into trouble, specifically under-watering. Hanging baskets dry out quickly and typically need to be watered daily, sometimes even twice a day during hot or windy weather. An easy way to check is to stick your finger into the soil up to your second knuckle. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. You can also lift the basket; if it feels light, it needs hydration.
When watering, avoid spraying over the top of the plant. Instead, gently lift the foliage and water the soil directly using a soft shower setting until you feel the basket become heavier. Keep in mind that wind can dry baskets out just as quickly as heat, so be sure to check them more often on breezy days.
Finally, don’t forget to feed your plants. Hanging baskets are what we call “heavy feeders,” meaning they require regular nutrients to keep producing those beautiful blooms. Because they’re planted in a limited amount of soil, nutrients are quickly depleted. We recommend fertilizing at least once a week with a high-phosphorus fertilizer to keep them looking lush and full.
One last simple tip is to rotate your baskets every few days to encourage even growth on all sides.
With just a little extra attention, your hanging baskets can go from struggling to absolutely stunning and stay that way all season long.
At Ridgecrest Garden Center, we’re always happy to help you choose the perfect plants for your space, or you can explore our wide selection of ready-made baskets. Looking for something unique? We’d love to create a custom hanging basket just for you.
