Hanging baskets provide eye level interest and can bring a splash of colour to porches, fences and balconies. However, keeping them happy and healthy can be tricky in hot weather. Temperatures are set to rise in the next few days, with parts of the country expecting temperatures over 25C – bad news for those recently planted petunias, fuchsias and begonias.
Hanging baskets have a limited amount of soil and dry out incredibly fast. Left unattended, flowers may start to shed their petals or droop and, in some cases, will become too stressed to continue growing. However, kitchen sponges can help keep hanging baskets hydrated, according to one seasoned gardener.
How to Use Sponges for Hanging Baskets
As the compost loses moisture, it shrinks and pulls away from the edges of the basket leaving a gap. If you try to water a bone-dry basket, the water will simply pool on the surface, run down the gap and pour out the bottom, leaving the root ball completely dry. Elizabeth McCoy, founder of A Forest Garden, suggests cutting a plain kitchen sponge into small pieces (about 1.5cm cubes) and placing them at the bottom of the basket between the liner and the soil. It can also help to add a few bits around the edge.
Then you just need to give your hanging basket a good watering. "The sponges will serve as little reservoirs to soak up excess water when it is available and release it later to the soil and roots when it is needed," said Elizabeth. Cheap kitchen sponges can be found in the cleaning aisle of any supermarket, but make sure they are not preloaded with soap or cleaning products.
Additional Tips for Watering
When it's warm, the Royal Horticultural Society suggests watering hanging baskets every day, unless the compost is already moist. They said: "Try to avoid them drying out to the point where plants start to droop ('wilting point'), but if they do wilt, you can place a bucket underneath to capture the water that runs off and return it to the basket. This will save water and soluble nutrients that are needed for flowering."
Other Options to Keep Baskets Hydrated
If you use wire or coconut coir baskets, line the inside with an old plastic bag before adding soil, but poke holes in the bottom for drainage. This traps moisture significantly better than bare coir.
Mix water-retaining gel crystals into your potting compost. These swell up to hold water and release it slowly to the roots as the soil dries out. Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Water Storing Gel costs £4.50 for 200g on Amazon.
Watering spikes can help keep baskets hydrated during a heatwave or if you're away for a few days – simply spike into the soil and fill. They come in various sizes and materials: a Pack of Six Root Watering Spikes costs £12.99 at Coopers of Stotford or a Pack of 10 Terracotta Watering Spikes cost £18.98 on Amazon.
If you're looking for attractive options, a Set of Six Avilo Watering Spheres cost £12.99 at Robert Dyas. The beautiful coloured glass spheres let the water slowly seep out for up to 14 days. Or the cute Mushroom Terracotta Watering Spikes cost £17.99 on Amazon for a set of four. Prices correct at time of publishing.
