Have a Hanging Garden

In the past few years hanging baskets have become a popular addition to porch, patio, balcony and many other outdoor locations. Their indoor use has also increased since they may be placed by windows where there is not room for plant stands. May attractive containers may be found for hanging baskets. They have either solid, fresh or wire sides. If you do not want to purchase a manufactured hanging basket, you can attach wires, chairs, or ropes to large flower pots or other containers. Baskets with solid walls should be used indoors, or in areas where water drips from them must be kept off the floor.

Mesh containers are suitable outdoors. Hanging baskets with solid walls should have some coarse gravel or broken pottery placed in the bottom before filling them with soil. Those with wire or mesh sides must be lined with sphagnum moss, burlap, plastic, leaves, or some other material that will make them hold soil. Soil for the hanging basket should be high in organic matter. To any good garden soil add an equal amount of peat moss or leaf mold. To each gallon of mix add a tablespoon of limestone and a teaspoon of a garden fertilizer such as 12-12-12. Mix thoroughly and fill the basket to the top.

If you have no garden soil available, use soil sold for potting house plants. Organic matter will not have to be added to this soil. Use plants with cascading and vining growth habits. Flowering plants are not suited to baskets kept in heavy shade. Foliage plants such as grape ivy, English ivy, Swedish ivy (Plectranthus), and tradescantia (Wandering Jew) are suited to heavy shade. Where there is more, light, flowering plants such as impatiens (Sultana), begonia, and fuschia may be combined.

In sunny locations petunias are very effective and easy to grow. The Cascade varieties are well suited to hanging baskets and have large, showy flowers. Garden geraniums and ivy geraniums do well in baskets. Some other plants for sunny spots are lantana, verbena, and black-eyed susan vine. Egen vegetable plants may be used. Try sweet potato, green beans, or miniature tomatoes. Do not crowd plants in the hanging basket. Generally 3 to 4 plants will fill a 10-inch hanging basket.

For a more permanent basket, creeping juniper such as Harbor or Blue Hug may be used. These may be left outdoors most of the year. During the coldest winter months place them on the ground and cover thorn with a light mulch. After planting, water the basket thoroughly until there is an excess of water dripping from the bottom. Baskets dry very rapidly outdoors, Check them every day to make sure that they are kept moist. Fertilize at about two-week intervals with a water soluble or liquid fertilizer recommended for house plants.

Accessible Gardening: Tips & Techniques by Joan Woy.