Hanging basket tips

Q. I always have challenges with hanging baskets – but this is my worst year yet. Can you give me some tips on the best ways to have great ones?

Jacqueline from Youngstown

A. While hanging baskets in our landscape can remedy a few garden headaches, they can cause even more if not cared for properly. Not planting your flowers in a garden bed solves the problem of poor soil, weeding and chasing off hungry critters. Using hanging baskets creates more work with watering, fertilizing and more.

A few routine steps can keep your basket looking its best all season long. When purchasing or planting your basket, remember that larger baskets – 14 feet or larger – will retain moisture better than smaller baskets. The air moves around all sides of the basket, thus a basket dries out faster than containers on the ground. They need to be watered twice as much as containers, in general.

The No. 1 cause of basket failure is lack of consistent watering. Get into the habit of watering your baskets at the same time of day. This sets a routine for you to remember watering. The best time to water is early morning so they can withstand the heat of day. In very hot weather, they may need to be watered twice daily. If your basket has dried out and water just flows through, immerse the whole basket into a water-filled container (sink, wheelbarrow or dishpan) and let it sit to re-hydrate.

Fertilizer is another important step in keeping your hanging basket looking its best. I first apply a slow-release granular into the basket, which is released with each watering. Midsummer, I might start adding a diluted water-soluble fertilizer to add a boost of nutrients as the slow release have started to leach out through watering and due to the heat.

Dead heading is another way to keep your baskets looking fresh. If midsummer your basket starts to look tired, prune the plants to reshape and encourage a flush of new growth and blooms.

For information and tips, go to http://go.osu.edu/basket.

Pam Baytos, OSU Extension master gardener volunteer in Mahoning County, provided today’s answer. The clinic is now open for spring. Call 330-533-5538 to submit your questions. Clinic hours are 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Thursdays.