Tools and Materials
14-inch wire basket
Planting pot
Plants
Soil
Sphagnum
Slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote
Hanging Basket How-To
1. Stand wire basket in an empty pot to stabilize it.
2. Layer basket with 1-inch-deep layer of sphagnum.
3. Add plants (position each plant so its crown is level with the soil).
4. Add soil (fill soil an inch or so below the rim to prevent water runoff).
5. When basket is complete add 2 tablespoons of a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote to potting soil.
Resources
Martha used the following plants: Ipomoea (sweet potato vine), petunia, verbena, centaurea, begonia, ageratum, heliotrope, Geranium sidoides, adiantum (maidenhair fern), asplenium (bird's nest fern), and alocasia.
Planting Tips
-Do not overcrowd your basket -- annual plants naturally spread.
-Choose the right plants for your lighting condition, keeping in mind the ones on the top and around the rim will shade those below.
Design Tips
-Select a range of leaf shapes, textures, and tones that complement one another. Pick a variety of heights and include some vines.
Maintaining Tips
-Place hanging plant where it will receive generous sunlight.
-Water every morning because hanging baskets can dry out quickly.
