How to Plant up Hanging Baskets and Planters for Summer

Make sure your pot is properly drained. In my baskets, I make sure the plastic liner is pierced in several places.

If using a planter make sure it has drainage holes. You can also add old polystyrene packaging broken up into the bottom of the pot. This ensures that the drainage holes do not get blocked and the pot is a little bit lighter for moving.

Put sufficient compost into the pot for the plants to go on top of. At this point you can mix in some plant food. This feeds the plants for a few weeks and minimises the amount of feeding you need to do during the summer. If you want to use water storing granules now is the time to add those.

Lay the plants out in the pot to ensure you like the way they look. It is difficult to imagine how they will look in a couple of months but try! This means that you can move them around easily and change the plants until you are happy without damaging the roots.

Remember that they will grow and do need some space to do that.

The best part is planting up the pot. Start with the central plant and then add the plants around the sides. Place one plant in and then firm it in with some additional compost. Repeat until all the plants are planted.

Check the level of the compost and add any that is needed. Do not get the compost too close to the top of the pot or it will become difficult to water.

Once you are happy with the pot or basket make sure you water it thoroughly and keep it in the shade whilst the plants adjust to their new home. I spend a couple of weeks hardening off the plants thoroughly by bringing them in at night. If your plants have already been hardened off you can skip that stage.

This is assuming your plants are tender (can't be outside in frost).

Well done!

You have planted up your basket or pot. Enjoy it all summer long. If you would like more detail and photos then take a look on my blog at https://christines-crafts.com/planting-hanging-baskets-pots-summer/