Hanging Baskets Gardening Guide

Hanging baskets are enjoying a resurgence thanks to their versatility and easy impact. Traditionally used for flowers, they're now increasingly popular for growing vegetables, berries and herbs as well.

They're a simple way to add colour, maximise space and enjoy fresh homegrown produce.

Choosing a basket

When it comes to hanging baskets, bigger is almost always better. Larger baskets hold more potting mix, retain moisture longer and give roots more room to grow.

The right potting mix for the job

It is important to select the right mix for the job - the roots are the engine room of the basket and need all the right nutrients and moisture to flourish. If the mix in an existing hanging baskets is dry and dusty, discard it to the compost heap and replace it with fresh mix.

Use Tui Vegetable Mix for vege crops and Tui Herb Mix for your herbs.
Plant your berries into Tui Strawberry Mix for best results.
Tui Outdoor Container Mix or Tui Pot Power is ideal for flowers and perennials.
For blended plantings (combination of flowers and veges or fruit), try an all purpose mix such as Tui Pot Power.

Planting your basket

Before planting, soak plants in Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic and allow to drain.
Fill your basket with potting mix and give it a water before you plant.

Positioning

Place the basket somewhere it will be seen, appreciated and most of all admired!
Ensure a strong hook, nail or hanging point is in place prior to hanging, once watered hanging baskets are heavy and make a rather large mess if the hook isn’t securely attached to something strong.
Hang it just above head height to avoid unnecessary incidents.

Care and maintenance

Feed with Tui Liquid Superfood - there's has an option for every type of hanging basket. You'll see quick visible results and it can help you keep on top of watering!
Water regularly - hanging baskets dry out faster than garden beds, especially in warm or windy conditions. Water a few times a week, rather than a little every day.
On days when there is a gentle rain falling, you can move any baskets that are hanging under shelter out into the open to get a good soaking.
When going away for a long weekend or holiday ask your neighbours to water them for you, or leave them inside in the bath with a little water for a few days.

more plants for hanging baskets

You can’t go past potted colour for instant impact in your hanging baskets, but they’re just as great for growing a range of other plants.

Edible flowers

Nasturtiums are the quintessential edible hanging basket flower - once the blooms have finished the seed heads turn into capers!
Other great edible flowers options include violas and calendula.

Veges

Perpetual lettuce such as cos, drunken lady, frilly, oak leaf and lollo rosso are all excellent options along with other leafy greens like rocket, spinach, mizuna and misome.
Dwarf tumbling tomatoes like tumbling tom and mini sweet 100 are also a great choice.
Chillies and dwarf peas work well too and are ideal for adding variety and interest.

Berries

Super-sweet berries plucked straight from the plant are a real treat!
Strawberries, cranberries, orange berries are all reliable options for hanging baskets.

Herbs

Pretty as picture and packed with flavour, many herbs work well in hanging baskets.
Coriander, chervil, dill, pizza thyme, oregano, prostrate rosemary and chamomile treneague are all great choices.
Pick regularly to encourage fresh new leaves and continued growth.

Indoors

Baskets aren't just for outdoors, they can look just as effective indoors too.
Good plant choices include baby tears, small leafed ivy, Boston ferns and the ever-reliable spider plant.
Place in a well lit position away from direct sunlight for best results.