Whether short on garden space or looking for a creative way to bring greenery to your apartment, hanging baskets are a stunning and versatile solution. They offer seasonal bursts of colour, a touch of personality, and even the possibility of fresh herbs and veggies—all within arm's reach.
Why Choose Hanging Baskets?
- Maximised Space: Perfect for small areas or vertical gardening.
- Customisable: Reflect current garden trends or showcase your favourite colour combinations.
- Functional: Grow herbs and veggies for an edible garden with flair.
How to Get Started
What You’ll Need
- Hanging basket (with pre-formed or new liner/moss).
- Quality potting mix like Oderings Potting & Basket Mix, containing a wetting agent to help water distribute evenly throughout the soil.
- Optional: Sphagnum moss or water storing crystals for extra water retention and Oderings Total Replenish for ongoing nourishment.
Steps to Create a Lush Hanging Basket
- Prep Your Basket:
- If you want to plant the sides of your basket, now is the time to cut small cross or diamond shapes into the liner. Side planting creates a fuller basket, with flowers cascading down the sides and helping to hide the basket. Alternatively, you can plant just the top and use cascading plants around the edges.
- Add Soil:
- Fill the basket with a quality potting mix to just below the first set of cuts in the liner, then firm the soil. We use Oderings Potting & Basket Mix, which has been specially designed with hanging baskets in mind and contains a wetting agent to help water distribute evenly throughout the soil.
- For baskets that tend to dry out quickly, you can also incorporate sphagnum moss or water storing crystals into the soil when planting.
- Plant the Sides:
- If side planting, wrap the roots of each plant in newspaper and gently push them through the cuts in the liner. Remove the paper, then cover the roots with soil.
- Continue filling the basket with soil and planting each layer until you are about 5cm from the top.
- Plant the Top:
- Choose a larger, more upright plant for the centerpiece, then evenly space cascading or smaller-growing plants around the edges. You can always add more plants to the top later if needed.
- Fertilise:
- Once your plants begin flowering, use Oderings Total Replenish, a slow-release fertiliser that helps keep your basket flowering for longer.
Pro Tip: Leave around 5cm of space at the top of the basket to make watering easier.
Plant Ideas for Hanging Baskets
For Sunny Spots
Ageratum, alyssum, angelonia, bacopa, dianthus, diascia, gazania, geranium, lobelia, marigolds, nasturtium, petunias, phlox, portulaca, sweet peas, and verbena.
For Semi-Shade
Begonias, impatiens, lobelia, pansies, petunias, and violas.
For Side Planting
Alyssum, bacopa, begonias, lobelia, petunias, nasturtium, and sweet peas.
For an Edible Basket
- Vegetables: Tumbling tomatoes, perpetual lettuces, baby spinach, dwarf beans, and peas.
- Herbs: Basil, thyme, parsley, chives, rosemary, mint, oregano, and catnip.
Tips for Success
- Choose the Right Size: Larger baskets create bigger displays and require less frequent watering.
- Water Wisely: Even with a wetting agent, check moisture levels regularly to avoid over or underwatering.
- Experiment Seasonally: Refresh your baskets with new plants, colours, and arrangements each season.
It’s easy to transform any space into a lively, colourful haven with hanging baskets. Whether it’s flowers, veggies, or herbs, your hanging basket can be a bold statement of nature and creativity.
