Hanging Basket - how much and often to water?

ShauntheSheep

I always line with plastic but also put a largish plant pot saucer in the bottom of the basket to catch at least some of the water. If they are in full sun, I take them down every now and then and give them a good soak in the shade.

DaisyNelson

Haven't tried it myself, but remember reading somewhere to use ice cubes. Might be worth a try, in conjunction with the other advice offered.

Jack's_mummy

If I am doing my own baskets then I usually put some cut up sponges in the centre to hold onto the water a bit. Obviously no help if you buy ready made ones.

Skint46

Wow,
Thank you very much.
A lot of very useful tips.
You have been very helpful.

Doom_and_Gloom

DaisyNelson wrote: »

Haven't tried it myself, but remember reading somewhere to use ice cubes. Might be worth a try, in conjunction with the other advice offered.

Yep ice cubes work a treat. I had my strawberries in a 3 tiered planter and put a few ice cubes on the soil and it kept them watered really nicely. Worked so well I'll be doing the same in the second one I'm getting for tumbling tomatoes this year :T .

Penelope_Penguin

I sink a plastic plant pot (about 8cm) into the centre of my baskets. It's not seen, and I find that watering into that gets the water in more easily

I'll add this to the existing thread

Penny. x

Lotus-eater

Remember the ice cubes must not be near the plants

I try to water my baskets morning and night if I can, if the compost dries out you are in real trouble, in my fruit and veg hanging baskets I will put plastic bottles in there sometimes, upside down with the lid pierced with a couple of small holes, then water in that to give a slow release.

odollybird

I Always Use Used Tea Bags It Works Really Well

H T H

angelavdavis

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I try to water my baskets morning and night if I can, if the compost dries out you are in real trouble, in my fruit and veg hanging baskets I will put plastic bottles in there sometimes, upside down with the lid pierced with a couple of small holes, then water in that to give a slow release.

I remember reading somewhere that if you add a dash of washing up liquid to a bucket of water and then soak, this helps the compost to rehydrate. I don't know if it works, perhaps someone can confirm either way?

Lotus-eater

If I have a dry pot, I always soak it in a bucket of water, only real way to get the compost going again quickly.