Keeping Your Hanging Baskets Blooming All Summer Long with These Tips!

Hanging baskets are a fantastic way to add a burst of vibrant color and lush greenery to your outdoor spaces. But the joy of those initial abundant blooms can quickly fade if not given the right care. Don't let your beautiful hanging baskets dwindle! With a few simple strategies, you can keep them overflowing with flowers blooming all summer long.

1. Water Wisely, Water Often for Continuous Blooms

Hanging baskets, by their very nature, dry out much faster than plants in the ground or even larger containers. This is due to their elevated position, exposure to sun and wind, and the limited soil volume. Proper watering is essential for keeping your hanging baskets blooming.

• Daily Checks are Key: In warm weather, especially during heatwaves, your hanging baskets might need watering once or even twice a day. The best way to tell if your basket needs water is to feel its weight. If it feels light, it's thirsty! You can also stick your finger about an inch or two into the soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water.
  
  
• Water Thoroughly: When you water, make sure you saturate the entire root ball until water drains from the bottom. Don't just give them a quick sprinkle; this only wets the top layer of soil.
  
  
• Morning is Best: Aim to water in the morning. This allows the plants to absorb the moisture before the heat of the day sets in, preparing them to cope with high temperatures. Watering in the evening can leave roots sitting in wet soil overnight, which isn't ideal.
  
  
• Rain Doesn't Cut It: Even if it rains, don't assume your hanging baskets are adequately watered. The dense foliage can often prevent rain from reaching the soil, so check them anyway.
  
  
• Watering Wands & Soaking: A watering wand can make it easier to deliver water directly to the soil. For extremely dry baskets, consider taking them down and submerging them in a bucket of water until bubbles stop rising, indicating the soil is fully rehydrated. Give it a moment! Let it soak up what it can!

2. Feed the Bloom: Importance of Fertilizing for Summer Long Flowers

Blooming plants are "heavy feeders," meaning they require a consistent supply of nutrients to produce all those beautiful flowers. The limited soil in hanging baskets means these nutrients are quickly depleted. Consistent fertilizing is crucial for keeping your hanging baskets blooming all summer.

• Start Strong with Slow-Release: When you first plant your baskets, incorporating a slow-release granular fertilizer into the potting mix is an excellent strategy. This provides a steady supply of nutrients over time, giving your plants a strong start for the summer. Slow Release fertilizers need water to flow over them to release food into the soil. Mix into the top layer of soil if you can, but this isn't necessary.
  ALWAYS follow the instructions on each product, every one has a different application dilution and amount!

  • Recommended Slow-Release: For an all-around general fertilizer for your baskets and beyond, consider Osmocote Smart Release Fruit & Veg Plant Food. This slow-release option is great for consistent feeding: https://amzn.to/45m3k0A
    
    
  • My Favourite for Baskets: For flowering hanging baskets specifically, Scotts Company Osmocote Outdoor and Indoor Smart Release Plant Food Bottle, 2-Pound, is a personal favorite. It's designed to deliver nutrients steadily to maximize blooms: https://amzn.to/4mAuDuz
                               
    Not to scale, Size will be different according to size and or weighted products. These are affiliate links and by using them you help us to bring you more content like this blog and our Podcast!
    
    
    

• Regular Feeding is Essential: For continuous blooming, you'll need to supplement with a water-soluble fertilizer every 1-2 weeks throughout the growing season. Look for a fertilizer formulated for flowering plants, often with a higher phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio) to encourage more blooms.

• Top-Rated Organic Fertilizer Options:

  • A fantastic choice for a balanced, organic fertilizer approach is Jobe’s Organics All Purpose Granular Fertilizer, 1.5 Pound Bag. This granular fertilizer (N-P-K: 4-4-4) is OMRI-listed for organic gardening and contains Jobe's Biozome, a blend of beneficial microorganisms that improve soil quality and nutrient absorption.
    You can find the 1.5 lb bag here: https://amzn.to/3F5mmOn
    
    
  • For a slightly larger quantity, Jobe’s Organics Organic Fertilizer,
    4 lb, offers similar benefits and is perfect for multiple baskets or smaller garden needs: https://amzn.to/4dE6KhC
    
    
  • If you have a large garden or many containers, Jobe’s Organics All Purpose,  4-4-4 Organic Fast Acting Granular Fertilizer for All Plants, 16 Pound Bag, is a cost-effective choice for all your plant feeding needs: https://amzn.to/4k6WKj8
    
    

• Apply to Damp Soil: Always fertilize when the soil is damp to prevent root burn. Mix into top layer of soil when possible. Slow Release fertilizers need water to flow over them to release food into the soil.

• Dilution is Key: Follow the package directions for dilution carefully. Some gardeners prefer to use a half-strength solution every time they water, while others stick to full strength every other week. ALWAYS follow the instructions on each product, every one has a different application dilution and amount!

3. The Art of Deadheading and Pruning Your Hanging Baskets

Regular maintenance is crucial for encouraging new growth and prolonging the blooming period of your hanging baskets.

• Deadhead Regularly: "Deadheading" simply means removing spent or faded flowers. When a flower goes to seed, the plant directs its energy into seed production rather than creating more blooms. Pinch or snip off spent flowers as frequently as possible to encourage the plant to produce new buds.
  
  
• Prune for Bushiness: If your plants start to look leggy or sparse, don't be afraid to give them a trim. You can safely cut back about a third of the plant's foliage. This "rejuvenation pruning" encourages bushier growth from the base and helps the basket fill out again. For precise and easy pruning of smaller stems and spent blooms, consider using our quality Garden Snips like these from Matchesseeds.ca 
  
  
• For larger pruning jobs or thicker stems, a more sturdy option like the Gardena 8857-20 Garden Bypass Pruners with their 22mm cutting capacity and stainless steel blades (Made in Germany) will be a valuable tool: https://amzn.to/43mHO9r
  
  
• Rotate Your Baskets: Give your baskets a quarter turn weekly to ensure all sides receive equal sunlight. This promotes even growth and prevents one side from becoming sparse.

4. Choose the Right Plants for the Right Spot

While these tips can help any hanging basket thrive, selecting plants suited to your specific growing conditions is fundamental for continuous blooms all summer.

• Sun Exposure: Match your plant choices to the amount of sunlight your hanging location receives. Full sun plants will stop blooming in the shade, and shade-loving plants will struggle possibly cook in direct sun.
• Growth Habits: Consider a mix of "thriller, filler, and spiller" plants for a visually appealing basket. Thrillers are upright, focal plants; fillers add mass and volume; and spillers trail over the sides.
  Don't be scared to plop a beautifully mixed basket into your pots or urns for instant blooms! Hangers can easily be removed from the pots by unclipping them or snipping them!
• Popular Choices for Summer: Some popular, continuously blooming options for hanging baskets include Petunias (trailing ones often called "Wave Petunias"), Calibrachoa (Million Bells), Impatiens, Begonias (for shade)!
• Ones I avoid and under perform IMO are Verbena, Geraniums, and Fuchsia,
  ( I prefer these in a mixed basket or planters not individual pots). 

By following these simple yet effective tips, you can transform your hanging baskets into spectacular, continuously blooming displays that will be the envy of your neighborhood all summer long!

Ready to get your hanging baskets thriving this summer? Explore our full range of garden tools and organic fertilizers at Matchesseeds.ca today!