How To Water And Care For A Hanging Basket

In this "how to" guide I will look at how to water hanging baskets when making up, during summer and the winter months. It will be obvious to any gardener but proper watering is crucial to get the best and longest lasting hanging baskets. However, getting the balance right is easier said than done as hanging baskets are very sensitive to the amount and frequency of watering. The fact that the plants exist in a relatively small amount of compost means they are prone to drying out quickly or losing nutrients prematurely which will damage the plants and their appearance.

Here are some tips on watering:

What type of water?
Regular tap water is perfectly fine for hanging baskets in most areas of the UK. Some plants are sensitive to the lime in hard water so you should consider using cold boiled water or rainwater as an alternative which can be collected from a rain butt.

How much water to use?
Over-watering and under-watering are both major problems. In many ways, over-watering can be the bigger problem as it washes away nutrients from the soil which are not recovered as the basket is self contained. This means hanging baskets do not last anyway near as long as they should do. So when watering avoid putting so much in that water continuously pours through the bottom of the basket. Provide enough water so that compost is completely wet and a trickle starts to come through the bottom and then leave.

Watering after planting
After making up the first watering should be generous to ensure the compost is fully wetted and the plant roots can start to establish themselves.

Watering during summer
During summer the hanging baskets can dry out very quickly indeed. Most plants will need watering once a day during this period but some could need two waterings. The best way is to keep a close eye on the state of the plants and note if they start to wilt. You will soon be able to gauge when the plants need to be watered. If you miss a watering do not be tempted to over water to compensate as this will cause more problems to the level of nutrients in the compost.

Watering during winter
As we approach winter frost is a major threat. As a result, watering should be light in general to minimise the chances of it freezing and damaging the root ball in the basket. If early morning frost is expected then delay watering and water during the middle of the day. This will be manageable as plants need watering less during this period in any case.

Using water retaining gel
Having to water baskets so regularly during summer can be a major task for gardeners (or business owners). Water-retaining gel can help by providing a medium which can be mixed into the compost during planting to absorb water and reduce the amount and frequency of watering. Most garden centres will sell these gels in tubs or pouches. In summary, watering hanging baskets is all about get the balance right. Too much or too little will damage the plants so follow this advice and your hanging baskets should continue to grow and develop long after planting.