Keeping pots and hanging baskets beautiful through the summer

Photo by Tatters on Visual Hunt

As the season progresses, pots and hanging baskets need a little more attention to keep them looking good. Here are a few maintenance tips to keep your them beautiful all summer long.

1. Watering – Because the roots of your flowers are constricted, they will dry out much faster than plants in the ground. Wind, sun and other weather factors also contribute to drying out of containers and baskets. Therefore, regular and consistent watering is important. First of all, water thoroughly until water begins to seep out of the bottom of the container. How often you water depends on the weather. The warmer the temperatures, the more frequently baskets need to be watered. The best thing to do is lightly lift up the bottom of the container. If it is very light, watering is needed. You can also stick your finger down into the soil. Only water if the soil feels dry.
2. Fertilizing – Since pots and hanging baskets are watered so frequently, nutrients are quickly leached out of the soil. It is important to apply fertilizer on a regular basis to keep plants robust and healthy. Use a water-soluble fertilizer like Jack’s Bloom Buster (available in our gift shop) or a similar product. Follow the directions on the package and fertilize once per week or every two weeks.
3. Deadheading spent blossoms – Removing faded flowers will not only keep your plants looking tidy, it will also help them produce flowers faster. Just pinch or cut off the flowers where they meet the stems.
4. Shearing back – It is normal for your pots and baskets to begin to look a bit ragged by mid-summer. To rejuvenate them, simply cut off the ends of the plants by 3 or 4 inches or more if needed with scissors. This works wonders for plants like verbena, petunias and impatiens.

Other Notes –

• If one or more plants in the container is not performing as well as others, it is perfectly okay to remove that plant and replace it with another. To do this, use a trowel and carefully cut out the offending plant and replace it with a new one.
• Light factors can affect the way they perform. If your plant is located in an area with low light or too much light, try moving it to a different location. Hopefully, you will soon find that perfect location.
• Sometimes plants will be attacked by aphids and other undesirable insects. An insecticidal soap is often effective in removing aphids. Neem oil is another great product – just be sure and apply it early in the morning or in the evenings to avoid burning leaves. Harsher chemicals are also available if needed. As you are watering your baskets, always inspect them for any changes in appearance. Early detection is good!