Hanging Baskets

How to create the perfect hanging basket-in three easy steps.

I have bought some sweet pea seeds - a variety that will do well in hanging baskets..........?

How should i go about growing and planting the seeds from the start to make sure they grow beautifully?
Should i use a particular typre of basket?
Any other tips for sweet peas in hanging baskets?
I am in the UK

Sweet pea seeds can be started early. They are cold tolerant and do better with cooler temperatures. Depending what zone you're in ....I'm in midwest and start sweet pea seeds in April.If you are in more mild climate you can start them much earlier.
Soak seeds overnite. Use good loamy soil MIX in pots...not potting soil or black dirt. Fill up your pot about half full...water soil in good. Place seeds on soil and cover seeds w/half inch of potting mix.Place in sunny spot outside. Once your seedlings emerge and start growing up keep filling in potting mix around the seedlings. This will reinforce the vine base and make them sturdier. Fertilize early before sweet pea starts flowering. Too much fertilizer means you will have more vine and foliage and less flowers.
Keep flowers cut off and dead head spent flowers and your basket should last a couple months.
Sweet peas are not heat loving plants so if temperature startsclimbing put baskets in shadier spot and keep soil moist at all times.
I grow them in all kinds of pots and window boxes and have had good luck with them.Use good potting mix like miracle grow potting mix or similiar products. Makes all the difference.

Not sure what zone you are in the UK...the main thing is not to plant your seeds until the temperature stays above 40 degrees for a couple weeks before planting.

Expert Tips for how to plant a hanging basket

In this how to guide I will show you how to plant a hanging basket.

Step 1 - Getting ready

Make sure that you have all the materials easily to hand - the hanging basket frame, hanging basket liner, compost, plants, reservoir, slow release fertiliser and water retaining gel. It is a good idea to position your hanging basket frame in a bucket or on a potting table to avoid it moving around.

Step 2 - Fit the hanging basket liner

Fit your hanging basket liner and, in summer months, place a 12" diameter piece of polythene in the bottom of the basket which will act as a reservoir to aid water retention. Do not use this in a winter basket as root damage will occur if the water in the reservoir was to freeze.

Step 3 - Start filling the hanging basket liner with compost

Use a good quality multi purpose potting compost to fill your basket to about a third of the way up the basket.

Step 4 - Add slow release fertiliser in with more compost

It is always advisable to add one of the many slow release fertilizers which are available. Most fertilizers are soluble, so that each time you water your basket you will wash out (i.e. waste) some of it. Slow release fertilizers on the other hand, have the fertilizer sealed within a resin shell which releases it gradually over a long period through micropores in the resin casing. Overwatering should have no effect on the release period. Slow release fertilizers can be obtained to give 6/12/18 and 24 month release periods to suit various purposes. 6 month being ideal for a basket, tub or other container planted up for summer in the UK. Soluble fertilizers can give even better results but these require constant monitoring, so devoted care is required, when using them, to obtain the best from your basket.

Step 5 - Add water retaining gel in with the compost

Wetting agents can be used to minimise the need for watering and avoid the risks of drying out during a got day. The gels can be added to the compost when making up or later as a top dressing. This is important as on a very hot day a basket filled with Surfinia petunias in full bloom can require 3 or 4 waterings in order to keep the compost moist. If the water is not applied the compost tends to dry out from the centre and form a crust and when water is applied it tends to run off the top surface and over the sides, giving the impression that your basket is well watered, when in fact it is still very dry internally. A good wetting agent allows water to flow through and be absorbed by the compost.

Water retaining gels can also be incorporated into the compost. These gels usually come in crystal form and can soak up over 100 times their own volume of water. They should be used sparingly otherwise you could find your footpath, below where the basket hangs, covered in a gelatine-like substance which is very slippery and could cause an accident to the unwary. These gels do have their benefits but do not let them give you a false sense of security where you think you can avoid watering. Regular watering is absolutely essential.

Step 6 - Position the plants in the hanging basket

Your basket should be nearly full with compost, fertiliser and gel by now so dig small holes in the compost to position the plants on the top or the sides.

When planting your basket do not, as many beginners do, try to create an "instant" basket. Each plant that you use will need time, space and sufficient light to reach their potential so leave a minimum of 2 inches or 5cm between plants.

Water the basket thoroughly to ensure the compost is completely wet through and display the basket on a hook or hanging basket bracket.

If you follow these steps, the plants will grow quickly to fill in any gaps on top and cascade over the side of the basket to create a beautiful hanging basket display.

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RSVP 30-by-12-Inch 3-Tier Wire Hanging Basket, Chrome Sale Price: $11.95   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Display your ripening fruit in this attractively designed hanging basket. 3 tiered design holds a variety of fruits and vegetables.Constructed of gleaming chrome steel wire. The baskets measure 8" x 12" diameter, 10" x 12" diameter, and 12" x 12" diameter. This hanging basket hangs via a hook, and can be hung over a bar or a ceiling hook. 7 pound weight capacity. . Features Color: Chrome Size: 30"H x 12"diameter Display your ripening fruit in this attractively designed hanging basket. 3 tiered design holds a variety of fruits and vegetables. Constructed of gleaming chrome steel wire.

Bronze Wire Hanging Baskets BZ 309 Sale Price: $21.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Perfect for dry, airy storage of fruits and vegetables, the RSVP rustic Bronze Woven Wire Hanging Basket makes a sturdy and attractive fixture. Features Approximately 8", 10" and 12" dia. Baskets 31" overall hanging height Rustic bronzed wire Wipe clean Comes ready to hang

RSVP MB-202 Two-Tier Hanging Basket Sale Price: $15.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Whatever your preference or color scheme, one of the hanging baskets (copper, chrome and nickel) from RSVP is sure to brighten up any spot, wherever it's hanging. Overall height of the combined baskets is 24" Features Brilliant chromed wire Two 11" baskets

3 Tier Hanging Willow Fruit Bowl Baskets 8-11", Cool Gray List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $43.99 You save: $6.00 (12%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description This pretty natural willow basket set is perfect for fruit and keeping your counter space open! Twine rope connects all 3 baskets with a metal loop attached for easy hanging. Features Entire unit is 26" tall; small basket: 8.25" diameter, medium basket: 10.25" diameter large basket: 11" diameter Hand woven and dyed willow baskets in grayish color

Panacea Products Classic Finial Series 14-Inch Hanging Basket, Black Sale Price: $10.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description This Finial Series basket contains black finials which adorn the sides of the basket, flanked by outward facing scrolls. Horizontal metal rods run behind and above the finial shapes, for additional interest and to complete the framework. The included coco liner keeps your soil safe and helps keep the soil aerated. Included is a 17 Inches chain for hanging. Features Black Steel Powder Coated Finish

Wire 3-Tier Hanging Basket - Chrome Sale Price: $12.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Features Material: Chrome Finish: Shiny Features: Tiered Includes: Basket Number of Pieces: 1 Care and Cleaning: Hand Wash Only

Hanging Basket Shower Caddy - Hangs from Shower Head or Curtain Rod (White) (36 1/4"H x 11"W x 5"D) Sale Price: $24.89   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Tired of shower caddies that require mounting? Take a look at this versatile Hanging Basket Shower Caddy. This great little shower basket will serve you well hanging from your showerhead or your curtain rod. The three tiered plastic bucket design holds all of your shower items securely while allowing water to drain from the bottom, and the ball-chain and hook design allows the greatest flexibility in hanging options. And at this price you can order one for each shower in your home! Keep your shower necessities close at hand, and neatly organized with this Hanging Basket Shower Caddy. . Features Color: White Size: 36 1/4"H x 11"W x 5"D Three tiered design with drainage holes. Hangs from showerhead or curtain rod. Great design at a great price!

3 Tier Hanging Woven Rattan Fruit Bowl Baskets 8-11", Gray Weathered Finish Sale Price: $36.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Perfect for storing fruit, onions, & potatoes! Rope connects all three baskets. Hand woven rattan w/weathered finish and rounded edges. Loop attached for hanging. Features Pale grey finish Rope connects all three baskets. Hand woven rattan w/weathered finish and rounded edges. Entire unit: 29"h small basket: 3.75"h x 8" diam, medium basket: 3.5"h x 10" dia, large basket: 3.75"h x 11" dia

RSVP Chrome Woven Wire Hanging Baskets Sale Price: $24.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Perfect for dry, airy storage of fruits and vegetables, the RSVP Chrome Woven Wire Hanging Basket makes a sturdy and attractive fixture. Features Approximately 8", 10" and 12" dia. Baskets 31" overall hanging height Woven chromed wire Wipes clean Comes ready to hang

RSVP Nickel Chrome 3-Tier Hanging Basket Sale Price: $17.09   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Whatever your preference or color scheme, one of the hanging baskets (copper, chrome and nickel) from RSVP is sure to brighten up any spot, wherever it's hanging. Overall height of the combined baskets is 31" Features Satin finish nickel wire Available in Nickel, Chrome and Copper Wipe clean as needed Basket diameters measure 8", 10" and 12"