Frequent watering of hanging baskets is crucial during hot weather, according to a gardening expert's advice.
Sprucing up the exterior of your home with hanging baskets is some seriously eye-catching decor, but you'll need to get your watering game on point, especially during the blistering summer heat! Whether you're pondering how to maintain a healthy garden while on vacation or uncertain if your outdoor plants should be watered every day in the summer sunshine, you might be surprised at how complex watering can become come summertime.
Let's dive into how to keep your charming garden plants in check during the sweltering summer months.
Expert Lucie Bradley from Easy Garden Irrigation helps break it down: hanging baskets require more frequent waterings than their ground-bound counterparts, as they lack the expansive soil directories for water absorption. This deficiency means plants in hanging baskets will need watering daily, even increasing to twice daily (morning and early evening) during heatwaves or particularly scorching weather[1][2].
Born with a green thumb, Lucie's 28-year career in the horticulture industry has seen her helping both amateur and professional gardeners bring their greenest dreams to life.
Of course, the frequency at which you water your hanging baskets depends on several factors, such as basket size, location, the plants within, weather conditions, and your watering method. Nevertheless, the tried-and-true "touch test" is a helpful guide: simply insert your finger into the soil and if it feels dry up to your first knuckle, it's time to quench your baskets' thirst[3].
As for the best time to water hanging baskets, an early morning watering appointment is best because plants absorb water more efficiently at this time, ensuring they have a full hydration session before water evaporation ensues[3].
The question of the hour is: how to water your hanging baskets? With their often elevated position above head level, watering can prove challenging. A nifty solution is using watering gizmos that clamp between the basket and hanger, allowing watering access while staying grounded or a long reach "watering wand" connected to your hose[3].
For more tips on how to give your hanging baskets a well-deserved hydration session, consider the following tools:
- Multi-jet hose gun (£17.99): Offering various spray patterns, Hozelock's multi-jet hose gun comes with a steady flow adjuster and a fine rose suitable for watering seedlings.
- Essential watering can (£12.99): Featuring a substantial capacity, this weather-resistant plastic watering can includes a detachable sprinkler rose for an easier-than-ever watering experience.
- Extended hose lance (£25.99): Perfect for second-story window boxes or hanging baskets at height, these adjustable, 48cm hose lances provide top-notch reach for your watering endeavors.
As the seasons transition, your watering routine for hanging baskets adjusts accordingly: in the summer months, hydration needs accelerate; autumn and winter reduce in frequency; and the springtime watering regime is determined by what occupies your hanging basket and the weather.
Embracing hanging baskets is one step towards transforming your pad into a leafy oasis, and don't forget that swapping seasonal arrangements is a fantastic method to revitalize your exteriors as the seasons change. These charming holders prove excellent for those looking to make the most out of their diminutive square footage[6][7].
Enrichment Data:
- Overall: To water hanging baskets efficiently in hot weather, follow these expert guidelines:
- Water Frequency: Hanging baskets dry out much faster than in-ground plants due to exposure on all sides, especially in hot, windy conditions. Typically, you need to water them daily, and during heatwaves or very hot spells, watering twice a day (once in the morning and once in the early evening) may be necessary[1][2].
- Data Sources: [1] "Water-Saving Methods for Your Hanging Basket" by Lucie Bradley for Easy Garden Irrigation - (easygardenirrigation.co.uk/blog/2021/06/25/water-saving-methods-for-your-hanging-basket/) [2] "How to Water Hanging Baskets During Summer" by The Spruce - (thespruce.com/how-to-water-hanging-baskets-in-summer-1431140) [3] "How to Keep Hanging Baskets Watered (This Week, and Through Summer)" by Lucie Bradley for Easy Garden Irrigation - (easygardenirrigation.co.uk/blog/2020/07/17/how-to-keep-hanging-baskets-watered-during-summer/) [4] "How to Keep Your Hanging Baskets Hydrated During Heatwaves" by Jemma O'Brien for Ideal Home - (idealhome.co.uk/gardening/plants/how-to-keep-your-hanging-baskets-hydrated-during-heatwaves-417653) [5] "6 Watering Tips for Hanging Baskets in the Summer" by Marie Iannotti for The Spruce - (thespruce.com/watering-hanging-baskets-during-summer-1430458) [6] "How to Water Hanging Baskets Like a Pro" by Bryan Long for The Spruce - (thespruce.com/how-to-water-hanging-baskets-1808057) [7] "6 Best Plants for a Summer Hanging Basket" by Marie Iannotti for The Spruce - (thespruce.com/plants-for-a-summer-hanging-basket-1834997)
- To maintain the health and beauty of your hanging baskets during the summer, you might want to invest in a multi-jet hose gun for efficient watering, such as Hozelock's, with its adjustable spray patterns.
- Embracing the lifestyle of gardening, whether for wellness or simply for the sake of home decor, can transform your home-and-garden into a vibrant sanctuary, especially with the addition of hanging baskets filled with seasonal plants.
- By incorporating home improvements like hanging baskets into your garden, you're not only enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home's exterior but also improving your overall lifestyle through increased connection to nature and promoting a harmonious home-garden environment.
- To keep up with the increased watering demands during the summer heat, consider using essential watering tools like an extended hose lance or a weather-resistant watering can with a detachable sprinkler rose for convenient watering of your hanging baskets.
