Save $$ by Making Your Own Hanging Baskets!

by Caroline

15 Minutes

Easy

Hanging baskets are expensive in my neck of the woods. A basket of annuals runs anywhere from 25-55.00, I don't know about you, but I don't want to spend that kind of money on plants that are only going to last a few months.

save by making your own hanging baskets, container gardening, gardening

Boston ferns like most big box stores sell are better as shade plants. The Kimberly fern can take a good amount of sun and still flourish, but they are much more expensive! To get Kimberly fern hanging baskets were going to set me back $28.00 a piece- $168.00 for the six I wanted!!

To buy a Kimberly fern in a gallon pot cost $9.00. I'm not very good with math stuff, but even I could see it would be lots cheaper to make my own hanging baskets! Granted I had to buy the hanging baskets this year (10.00 a piece) but I will be able to use them for many years to come.

My total, not including the potting mix I already had ended up being $19.00 a piece- a savings of $54.00. In my book, that's nothing to sneeze at! That is $54.00 I can spend on more plants!!!

1. Fill your hanging basket about 2/3 full with potting mix.

2. Make a hole in the middle for the plant.

3. Gently pull the plant out of its original pot and then pull the roots apart a little. This gives the roots incentive to grow into the new soil, thereby increasing the plant's size.

4. Place the plant into the hanging basket. Make sure the roots are at the same level in the new soil as they were in their original pot.

*Note: This is the most often made mistake when planting. Whether you are planting a hanging basket, shrub or tree the plant needs to have the roots at the same level of the original container or slightly above. If the pant is too low in its new space, water will pool around the stem/trunk and the plant gets too much water.

5. Gently add dirt around the plant until the pot is almost full. Leave a half inch to an inch gap at the top of the pot so that when you water the soil doesn't get washed over the top of the pot.

6. Tap the dirt around the plant so it is firmly in the pot and then water thoroughly.

Fertilize with liquid fertilizer once a week. Hanging baskets end up draining the soil of nutrients easily so feeding weekly is important for growth.

I use Miracle Grow that is a powder and needs dissolving in water. The guy at my nursery doesn't recommend using pellet fertilizer (Like Osmocote) for hanging baskets as it is slower release.

Enjoy your beautiful baskets (and use the money you saved on some other pretty plants!)

Enjoyed the project?

You can do it! Saved to your projects

Frequently asked questions

Have a question about this project?

Ask a Question

2 questions

Carmel Madden on Mar 10, 2019

I live in Ireland,could u recommend plants to put in my hanging baskets that will last the summer please

1
Pippin Baker on Jun 04, 2021

you technically did not show HOW TO MAKE HANGING BASKETS,,, you showed how to put ferns in hanging baskets,,, is there something wrong with my brain?? just asking

0

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 15 comments

Itsmemic on Apr 01, 2020

Just did a bunch of new planters with coconut liners ...set them out on a sunny day and bammo!!! Went to take them in when it got chilly and all my new plants were on the ground, dirt kicked out of the planters..and birds having a field day !! So? Going back to regular plastic hanging planters and set the coco liners hanging by the birdfeeders. I guess if you cant beat 'em...join 'em :)

5 Reply
DEE MCNEIL on Jun 17, 2021

I can get hanging baskets with the liners for 5.00 or less at the local DOLLAR GENERAL STORE. Some I have had for many years.I do love your idea and will give it a tr y.

2 Reply