Top News

Hanging baskets are commonly used as ornamental displays outside the home or in the to add vibrancy to outdoor spaces. It can be tricky to remember they need watering regularly, but it's key to their survival in spring and summer.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), gardeners should consider how they will water their baskets before they're even planted. The experts said: "Hanging baskets tend to dry out more quickly than other types of containers, and water can be easily wasted from them. If you have many baskets, you might consider using an automated watering system."

If your baskets are already planted and are hanging in your garden, it is extremely important to check them every day.

Gardeners should water their plants once or twice a day unless the soil is already moist. It is really important to water them in the morning and/or evening for best results.

The RHS said: "Drying out is an increased risk as the plants grow and days remain warm and windy. An easy way to check if they need water is to gently lift or nudge the baskets to gauge how heavy they are. If they are really light, they need watering.

"Try to avoid them drying out to the point where plants start to droop, 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."

If the compost becomes too dry, it can be difficult for the water to soak in, so keep it moist.

If you water until it runs out of the bottom of the basket, the nutrients may be washed out, so be careful.

While hanging baskets can benefit from the occasional feed, it is always important to water them first.

The experts explained: "Plant roots can be damaged by liquid feed that is not diluted correctly, always follow the instructions on the pack."

If your hanging baskets survive all the way through summer and into autumn, they will still need watering regularly, so make sure to check the soil.