Hi Sven

When is the best time to plant my hanging baskets outside? I have been growing my own plug plants and they have come on great – I'd hate to loose them by planting them out to soon. Also what is the best food to give them?

Jason Wheatley

Our Gardens Expert replies:


I assume you have grown some bedding plants to fill your baskets with and now is the ideal time to get planting! Frost can be a killer so just be wary that you may well need to cover or bring them in if you are expecting it!

Most hanging baskets should be positioned in a sunny spot or in light shade in a sheltered area that is not too exposed, because they have a tendency to dry if they are exposed to intense sun and wind. Fill the basket with a mixture of compost water retentive gel and some slow release fertilizer pellets and then plant up. You can use sphagnum moss but please make sure that it from a sustainable source and not carved from peat bogs!

Hanging baskets can get really heavy especially when wet so it essential to make sure that the wall fixings are suitably strong and secure! And also choose a bracket that looks good as well because there are so many nasty looking ones out there!

Hope this helps!

Sven