Hanging basket liners

northern_star

Good Morning All.
We have been lucky enough to source 4 new hanging baskets but without liners. Now I know liners are available to buy seperately but - in true OS fashion - we wondered if we could make them from something we already have. Has anyone made ther own liners before? Could you share your tips and experience with us please?

ps We plan to grow cherry tomatoes in 2 of them and flowers n the other 2.

Lotus-eater

An old T-shirt or something like that would do the job, or a really old thick jumper would be lovely. I really like that idea now I have thought about it. Shame I keep jumpers till they literally fall apart

angelavdavis

I have seen jumpers used to good effect.

For a completely compostable version, you could also create liners made from paper mache. Line your basket with cling film to create a mold and then line the inside with strips of newspaper, stuck with either paper/water paste, wallpaper paste or watered down pva adhesive. Apply until you have quite a thick layer, then allow to dry. Once dry, remove from your basket mold and then paint if desired. Cut the holes for any trailing plants.

daska

PVA (polyvinyl acetate) is toxic if ingested so I wouldn't use it for liners if you're planning to grow veg in the baskets. It's also not frost proof. I'd use a starch paste instead, or use a paper with a longer fibre (you can see how long the fibres are when you tear the paper).

If you've got friends/family with young kids ask if they're getting rid of any old muslins - these work brilliantly.

ShauntheSheep

I've always just used a circle cut out of an old compost bag with a few holes punched in the bottom. Not nearly as exciting as old jumpers!

Alternatively I remember reading a suggestion that you can weave phormium leaves together -apparently they make a really tough basket liner. Just be careful not to poke your eyes out with the pointy ends of the leaves!

Chris_Vorres

Trimmings off fir trees are good to line the basket with, but I used a pair of old cordouroy trousers. One thing I have used in the past is bits of wool, but the birds love it and keep nicking it for nests. If you use old clothes, try to use natural fibres, cottons, wools. Jeans are good.

Ettenna

In Gardeners World this month there is a bit on hanging basket liners. They used fir tree trimmings and something else (can't remember what without getting the magazine from upstairs). It looked really good.

Also they had a strawberry planter with red gingham material as a sort of liner.

Jake'sGran

I sometimes used green plastic bags e.g. M&S but thought they were too garish. Old wooly jumpers are popular for MSE types like us especially if they are greenish. Whatever I use I always put an old saucer at the bottom on top of the liner, or a pieces of plastic to stop water going everywhere.

bizzylizzy

This is great! I have a "tower" of 3 baskets on a stand (iyswim) and need linings for them, I was going to ask on here then saw this thread.... fantastic! I have just removed a small fir tree from my garden and it is now waiting to be taken to the tip.... I shall try and line the baskets with it now!
Any idea what else was used with the fir tree trimmings?

bizzylizzy

Ettenna wrote: »

In Gardeners World this month there is a bit on hanging basket liners. They used fir tree trimmings and something else (can't remember what without getting the magazine from upstairs). It looked really good.

Also they had a strawberry planter with red gingham material as a sort of liner.

Bumping this...... I have searched online to find this Gardeners World article, but can't find it - does anyone have this issue of the magazine? I would like to know what was used with the fir tree trimmings to line the baskets.

I already have the fir tree trimmings, and naked baskets.... just need to know what the last ingredient was!

Golden_Anemone

Last spring I raked moss out of the lawn to line my baskets (with some polythene from an old compost bag inside it). I hadn't reckoned on a few grass seedlings coming with the moss but actually loved the effect when it started to grow. I'm going to do this again this summer.