Caring for Your Hanging Basket

A few simple tips to keep your basket beautiful all summer long!

There’s nothing quite like a full, overflowing hanging basket in the summer. With the right care, your baskets can stay healthy, colorful, and thriving all season long. Here are a few easy tips from the team at Down to Earth Garden Center to help you get the most out of your summer blooms.

Watering Your Hanging Basket

During the hot summer months, hanging baskets dry out quickly, especially baskets in full sun or windy areas. Most baskets will need to be watered daily.

When watering, make sure to water thoroughly until you see water draining out of the holes at the bottom of the basket. A quick surface sprinkle usually isn’t enough to fully hydrate the roots.

Tip: Early morning watering is best to help plants stay hydrated through the heat of the day.

Fertilizing for Continuous Blooms

Hanging baskets are heavy feeders, meaning they need regular nutrients to keep producing flowers all summer long.

We recommend fertilizing at least once a week, although two to three times a week can make an even bigger difference during peak summer growth.

Our favorite fertilizers:

• Jack’s Blossom Booster for sun baskets
• Jack’s All Purpose Fertilizer for shade baskets

Consistent feeding helps encourage fuller growth, healthier foliage, and more blooms throughout the season.

Helping Your Basket Hold Moisture

Summer heat can cause baskets to dry out fast. Adding Soil Moist to your hanging baskets can help retain moisture between waterings and reduce stress on your plants during especially hot days.

This simple step can make a huge difference during Wisconsin summer heat waves.

Going Away for the Weekend?

No worries — your baskets can still stay healthy while you’re gone.

Before leaving:

• Move your baskets to a shady location
• Place them in a shallow pan or tray of water

This helps reduce moisture loss and allows the plants to absorb water as needed while you’re away.

Give Your Basket a Mid-Summer Refresh

Around the end of June, many hanging baskets benefit from a light trim or haircut.

Trimming back some of the longer growth encourages fresh new blooms, fuller shape, and healthier growth for the rest of the summer season. Don’t be afraid to give your basket a little refresh — it often comes back even better.

Need Help Choosing Products or Plants?

The team at Down to Earth Garden Center is always happy to help you find the right fertilizers, watering tools, and plant care products to keep your baskets looking their best all summer long!