Reply To: What’s the best fertilizer for hanging baskets?

[E. Vinje]

Hi Cheryl –

Use a quality, slow-release fertilizer to promote bigger, more abundant flowers in hanging baskets — too much plant food can burn tender plants, while too little may lead to yellowing leaves and weak stems. Because baskets/ containers are watered often during warm summer months, nutrients can leach out of the soil quickly and must be replaced. We recommend one to two organic fertilizer applications per month during the growing season, less in the fall.

The easiest way to go about fertilizing potted plants is by preparing a nutrient solution and pouring it over the soil mix. The fertilizer is absorbed by the roots and quickly adds what is missing from the existing soil. At Planet Natural, we carry a variety of organic formulas — including guanos — designed to encourage growth, blooms and bountiful harvests.

Tip: Deadhead (pick, snip, prune, pinch, cut, etc. dying flowers) as needed. If the plant produces seeds it will “think” it’s job is done and stop producing flowers. Deadheading tricks the plant into growing more blooms.

Hope it helps!