Now is the time to get started with your traditional hanging baskets so that you can cover your walls with a blaze of colour, but don't forget that we can still get frosts in May and so once you have planted your baskets it is best for them to stay in the greenhouse, conservatory or protected porch until frost is no longer a threat.  You can harden the plants by putting them out on good sunny days

Requirements

Either a 10" or 12" size basket or wire frame basket holder,coir liner, moss, compost, slow release fertiliser and a minimum of 15-20 plants for 12" and 10-15 for 10". 

Some Hanging Basket Plants

Busy Lizzie, French Marigolds, Lobelia, Fuschias, Trailing Geraniums, Dwarf Nasturtiums, Begonias, Morning Glory. 

Planting your traditional basket

1. Stand the basket on a large pot or bucket to keep stable.  For a display with lots of plants cascading from the sides and top use a wire frame basket.
2. When using liners  slits are  made in the liner for plantings, but if there is no liner, line the basket with moss to the level of the first row of plants.
3. Add a small amount of compost at the bottom of the basket and also add a slow release fertiliser
4. Fill the basket with potting compost up to the first row level and set out the plants.
5. Add more moss and compost until just below the rim.
6. Plant a bold plant in the centre.
7. Fill in with plants around the edges.  Plants can be encouraged to trail quickly and effectively by planting the rootball at a slight angle so that the plant tilts slightly towards the edge.
8. Water thoroughly and make sure that you water your baskets twice a day in dry warm weather
9. Keep in a warm sheltered spot until plants are well established and frost danger is passed.
10. Hang up on proud display!