30 In Flowers/ Gardening

Hanging Basket How-To

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com

As the weather begins to warm up, more time is spent outside enjoying the great outdoors.  Just as you add beautiful decor and floral arrangements inside your home, why not spruce up your yard or patio with some beautiful hanging plants?  They add visual interest and a pop of color to any outdoor space.  Hanging baskets are so easy to put together and a great way to incorporate your own personal style.  Doing it yourself is not only simple, but you have more quality control than the ones you pick out at a garden center.  You can mix and match color combinations, textures and different heights. 

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.comWhen I'm styling my own pot of flowers, I like to follow a tried and true method.  I make sure to add a thriller, a filler and a spiller.  The thriller plant is the main attraction of your creation.  When picking, look for a little bit of height mixed with texture or a vibrant color.  You want to pick something with structure and shape.  The fillers do exactly what it sounds like.  They fill up your basket and add contrast to the thriller. A striking mounding annual is perfect for this job.  Spillers quite literally spill out of your basket as the season progresses.  These plants are placed at the edge of the pot.  Just as Rapunzel's long hair did, they dangle down and tumble out.  Each of your plants work together as a team and amplify the beauty of your own little hanging garden. 

Supplies I Used

-Moss covered hanging basket
-Basket liner
-Potting mix
-Lobster compost
-Rain Gel water storing granules 
-Shepherd's 
hook

Plants I Used

-Thriller: Dracaena (1)
-Filler: Proven Winners Superbells Tropical Sunrise (3)
-Filler: Proven Winners Bright Lights African Daisies (3)
-Spiller: Vinca Vine (3)

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com

                

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.comOnce you have your supplies and plants ready to go, just make sure whatever hanging basket you choose is lined.  Now it's time to start prepping your soil.  I like to combine Miracle Gro Moisture Control potting mix with Coast of Maine Quoddy Blend lobster compost.  The moisture control is super helpful in containers and helps retain water while feeding your plants.  The lobster compost I use contains sphagnum peat moss.  This also helps cut down on the amount of watering your planter will need.  It also helps improve drainage to prevent over watering.  Getting that perfect balance can sometimes be a challenge especially in the hot summer months. 

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com

                

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.comNext I added in my Burpee Rain Gel water storing granules. This will save you from the dreaded dead hanging plants syndrome that follows any short vacation or weekend getaway.  I can't tell you how many times I've gone away and come home to a sad looking plant all shriveled up and wilted.   It helps reduce the amount of watering needed from daily to once a week.  Trust me when I say, this is a huge help!  Just mix some into your soil before you add your plants, and you are good to go!  Just remember, you still have to water your plant more frequently the hotter it gets.  If a heat wave hits, make sure to give your plant extra water and stick your fingers in the soil daily for a quick check!

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com

                

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.comNow onto the fun part.  Adding all of your beautiful plants.  You've done your research, sought them out, and it's time for them to shine!  After you have added a small layer of soil to the bottom of the container, position your plants where you would like.  You can play around with them until you find the perfect spot.  Once you have found the design you like best, take them out of the containers and fill in the gaps with extra soil.  Gently press your plants down and firm soil around plants.  If you notice any faded flowers or damaged stems, now is the time to cut and remove them.  Make sure to keep the top layer of soil a few centimeters below the top of your basket to allow room for watering.  I can't tell you how many times in the past I have overfilled my containers. Watering becomes a messy process, and it's just not pretty. 

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com

                

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.comAfter filling your hanging basket with your gorgeous flowers and soil, make sure to give it a healthy drink of water.  This is the most important drink you can give your plants.  It helps them acclimate, and prevents transplant shock.  You want to give your planter the best start it can get!  After the initial watering, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.  Make sure to keep the soil evenly moist.  Don't overwater your soil, and allow it to slightly dry.  This promotes root growth of your plants.  You never want your flowers sitting in constant soggy soil.  If possible, water early in the morning or late in the evening.  Try never to water your plant in direct sun.  This will cause your plants to burn.  As long as you keep these things in mind, your hanging plants will flourish! 

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com

Finally, it's time to sit back and enjoy your hard work!  I have made so many mistakes in the past when it comes to putting together hanging plants.  It's okay to make mistakes though!  It really helped me learn what not to do and taught me so much.  Sometimes it's easier to see why something doesn't work when it happens to you first hand.  With a little research and planning, maintaining a healthy planter all season long is definitely possible.  Remember that the blooms you put in your planter in early spring may be small now, but as the summer rolls around that will change.  Your thrillers will grow tall, your fillers will gain ample amounts of blossoms and your spillers will grow long and lavish.  

My Top 5 Spring Garden Blooms | angiethefreckledrose.com

Tuesdays In The Garden

Happy Tuesday!  As you know, each Tuesday garden party includes links to some other great gardening ideas.  This week, we have all focused on informative DIY and how-to outdoor project guides.  We can't wait to share with you!  From the flower garden, to the vegetable garden, all the way to the shed.  We got you covered with great tips and tricks!  Click on the pictures or links below to see more.

Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com
Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com
Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com
Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com

Do you enjoy putting together your own hanging baskets?  Have any favorite thriller, filler or spiller plants?  Please share with me in the comment section below.  Have any pictures of DIY outdoor projects you'd like to share with me?  Feel free to tweet them to me here  @thefreckledrose.  Now that I have put together some hanging baskets, I can't wait to get started on my container gardening next weekend!  Wishing you good weather and healthy soil for all your garden projects to come!

In Case You Missed It - My Top 5 Spring Garden Blooms

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Hanging Basket How-To | angiethefreckledrose.com

 

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30 Comments

  • Reply
    Bonnie V
    June 9, 2016 at 9:47 am

    Beautiful! I want to decorate the front porch this weekend. I think some potted plants are going to be in order.

    Thank you for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop.

  • Reply
    Jenna Colgrove
    June 6, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    That’s such a cute idea! You make it look so easy!!

    Jenna from http://www.visionsofvogue.com

  • Reply
    Stacey
    May 24, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    Angie, this turned out so pretty! I laughed a little about lobster compost…I can assure you we don’t have that in Texas. 🙂 I use Miracle Grow potting soil usually and everything grows beautifully.

    Sharing this great tutorial on Poofing the Pillows’ Facebook tomorrow. 😉

  • Reply
    Angelina @ Peonies & Orange Blossoms
    May 23, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    This is fantastic! Your hanging baskets are beautiful!! Thanks for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things… I’m going to be featuring this post on my blog this week!

  • Reply
    Kati
    May 23, 2016 at 12:05 pm

    This is brilliant! I struggle with composing flower arrangements but I love having them around. I’ve gotta make me some hanging baskets now. Pinned!

  • Reply
    Merlinda Little ( @pixiedusk)
    May 23, 2016 at 7:26 am

    So so pretty! I wish that I can make this as this is perfect for me because we dont have a garden but a terrace! #photofriday

  • Reply
    Brooke of Passport Couture
    May 20, 2016 at 10:37 pm

    Thanks for the great nature inspiration! I’d always enjoyed hanging baskets and your post made me think of summertime and being outdoors. I enjoyed reading your helpful tips that are great details for planting.

  • Reply
    Jasmine Eclipse
    May 20, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    I love this idea! I’ve always been a fan of the hanging basket trend, but I love your rendition of it! I can’t wait to hang up baskets and plant flowers at my new home!

  • Reply
    Homesteading With Heart
    May 20, 2016 at 4:53 pm

    Very nice baskets!
    Visiting you from the blog hop!

  • Reply
    Chaza
    May 20, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    This post is very helpful. I was looking for helpful tips. So much clearer and details. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful flower basket too…

    www. Hugs homemade.com

  • Reply
    Lindsey Andrews
    May 20, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    OMG! These are gorgeous. I always want to try this instead of buying the pre-made ones at the hardware stores.

  • Reply
    BROOKE Neal
    May 20, 2016 at 6:16 am

    So pretty! Wish my options for flowers were as varied. Living in Saudi Arabia we are somewhat limited and our flowering season is now over.

  • Reply
    Clare Elise
    May 19, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    Love this post! So helpful! I’m sorting our garden out at the moment and I have no idea where to start. I shall be reading more of your posts now I’ve found you x

  • Reply
    Will
    May 19, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    I’ll immediately grasp your rss as I can not find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Kindly allow me know so that I may just subscribe.
    Thanks.

  • Reply
    Lea-Ann
    May 19, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Great tips. I never heard of some of this stuff. Very helpful!

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