Hanging basket creation

-Of course, you will need a "hanging basket" and there are many from which to select. Locate them at your local garden shop or retailers who handle garden supplies. There are plastic or wire and they range in size from 6 to 12 inches. They come in a good choice of designs. Make sure the hangers are strong and will carry the weight of the soil, plants, and moss when it is wet. Hanging baskets in plastic will have both external saucers that are attachable or internal reservoirs. The basket without the external saucer will have a disk inside on the bottom of the container that will hold water which can be pulled up into the plants. Think about where you will be displaying your basket and choose one to complement that area. This is fun all on its own, a perfect chance to shop!

-Compressed Moss. This Sphagnum Moss has been air dried and pressed into flat manageable sheets. They are formed to fit into most hanging baskets. When water is sprayed onto the moss, it is magically conformed to the shape of the basket. It is mostly used to line window flower containers, and hanging baskets. A positive attribute of compressed sphagnum moss is that it takes much less watering, because it holds more water, with a 12 inch liner holding up to 3 liters of water. In a matter of time, a few weeks, the moss will turn green; it blends well with the flowers and plants within the basket. This moss has been sterilized and protects plant roots from disease; it is also high in zinc. Your plants will look great and live longer. Spray the moss with a mister of water to soften, then push and press the moss into the basket. Once compressed into the basket spray with water to continue the "forming" process to the container. It will eventually spread out and fill the gaps into one solid liner.

-Purchase lightweight soil. Soil for indoors, as in hanging baskets or any containers, should not be soil from the garden. This soil contains weed seeds and disease bearing germs. It drains poorly and is simply best left outdoors to grow our wonderful vegetables. The best medium for growing indoors or on patios is called artificial soils or soilless mixes. They are "artificial" because they are made of peat, perlite, and vermiculite, with nutrients added. This "artificial soil" is clean, provides very good drainage, and is light. These lightweight soils will not hold nutrients for a long period so you will need to routinely add them for healthy plants. Add approximately 4 inches of soil to bottom of receptacle before mixing the polymers mentioned below.

-Polymers. These are small clear polymers, which consume water when the plants are watered. The polymers will hold the water, up to 200 times their weight, until the soil dries then at that point will release the water and liquid fertilizer they have absorbed. The use of polymers reduces the distress on plants caused by periods of "not enough" watering. These polymers will not be competitive with your plants for the water. They actually lesson the watering process by one half. You may mix directly into the soil before planting or during transplanting. It must be kept below the surface of the soil to work.

Planting your basket can correspond to your own imagination, likes, and dislikes. Use all the same type and color of flowers or mix the colors, each is sensational. Place the biggest plants first and shake out in order to loosen the roots before planting. Plant the outside edges first then begin adding soil and building up with the rest of the plantings. The more the merrier, so add as many flowers as you can to fill in all spaces, make sure the soil is very well filled. Give your basket of beauties a good watering and hang at eye level. Water and fertilize as needed