By July, our hanging baskets start looking tired. Here are a few tips to rejuvenate them for the rest of the summer.
Prune. Often the centre of a hanging basket begins to die out. Redirect growth to the top of your hanging basket by pruning. Trim about one third of the growth on the sides of your hanging basket to encourage growth in the centre. Be sure to regularly deadhead spent flowers.
Water thoroughly. A good rule of thumb is to water until water runs out the bottom of the container. It is best to water in the morning or evening (or both, in extreme heat).
Fertilize. High phosphorus (the middle number) keeps flowers blooming.
Rotate. Often hanging baskets are hung on a porch or other place where they are exposed to sunlight on only one side. In that care, it is important to rotate the baskets for even growth.
Plan ahead. When you purchase a hanging basket in May or June, be sure to look for a 12 or 14 inch pot size. A 10 inch basket will dry out too quickly. If you purchase a 10 inch pot, transplant it into a 12 or 14 inch size for best results.
As your hanging baskets continue to bloom and look their best, enjoy these warm summer months. After all, we deserve some hot days after our long Canadian winters
Visit our Facebook page and website at: www.dunnvillehortandgardenclub.org. For questions or comments, contact Debbie Thomas, President (905) 774-3064 debbie.j.thomas@gmail.com or Vice-President Deb Zynomirski (416) 556-9337 debzyn@gmail.com. We resume our monthly program nights in September. Stay safe and happy gardening.
-by Sandi Marr, DHS member