It has been warm the last couple of days but we did have a nice breeze till Saturday noon, then really quiet and it got really hot. So we need to drink a lot so do your plants. Question #6 how often do I water and do I need to fertilize? Here is some hints I found for you to answer this question.
You need to consistently feed and water your plants throughout the growing season. Hanging baskets tend to dry out very quickly, so daily or twice-daily watering may be necessary to keep your plants healthy and blooming all summer long. Feel the soil to determine if the hanging basket needs water. If the soil is dry one inch below the surface, it's time to water. My hint to you is put your finger into the soil and if it is dry to the first knuckle then water.
A watering wand attached to the hose is a helpful tool to water those difficult to reach baskets, but a watering can will also do the trick. Use a gentle stream of water (to prevent the soil from dislodging), and continue until the excess water runs out the drainage holes. If you've forgotten about your hanging basket for a few days and the soil is bone dry, you might still be able to revive it. Take your basket down and immerse it in water to re-soak the soil. Once the soil has been thoroughly soaked, hang it back up to allow the excess water to drain. As the weather gets hotter, make sure you keep a close watch on your hanging baskets - you might need to adjust your watering schedule to combat the hot afternoon sun.
Watering too frequently, however, will quickly flush the nutrients from the soil. To avoid this, you'll need to fertilize your hanging baskets regularly. Consistent feeding every two weeks throughout the gardening season with a liquid fertilizer or a time-release fertilizer will help your plants flourish. If you use 10-10-10 you could fertilize more if you want. I have an injector which puts fertilizer into the water and I do that every time I water. Keeps everything nice and green. Keep the plants happy and they will keep you that way too....till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa
You need to consistently feed and water your plants throughout the growing season. Hanging baskets tend to dry out very quickly, so daily or twice-daily watering may be necessary to keep your plants healthy and blooming all summer long. Feel the soil to determine if the hanging basket needs water. If the soil is dry one inch below the surface, it's time to water. My hint to you is put your finger into the soil and if it is dry to the first knuckle then water.
A watering wand attached to the hose is a helpful tool to water those difficult to reach baskets, but a watering can will also do the trick. Use a gentle stream of water (to prevent the soil from dislodging), and continue until the excess water runs out the drainage holes. If you've forgotten about your hanging basket for a few days and the soil is bone dry, you might still be able to revive it. Take your basket down and immerse it in water to re-soak the soil. Once the soil has been thoroughly soaked, hang it back up to allow the excess water to drain. As the weather gets hotter, make sure you keep a close watch on your hanging baskets - you might need to adjust your watering schedule to combat the hot afternoon sun.
Watering too frequently, however, will quickly flush the nutrients from the soil. To avoid this, you'll need to fertilize your hanging baskets regularly. Consistent feeding every two weeks throughout the gardening season with a liquid fertilizer or a time-release fertilizer will help your plants flourish. If you use 10-10-10 you could fertilize more if you want. I have an injector which puts fertilizer into the water and I do that every time I water. Keeps everything nice and green. Keep the plants happy and they will keep you that way too....till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa
