Trimming Your Hanging Flower Pots & Planters
Mid and late summer can be really hard on plants living in containers. We often get asked, what do you do with your ugly hanging baskets? The answer: Keep them going!
Hanging baskets put out in the spring will start to look weary and maybe a little beat-up by midsummer. You haven’t done anything wrong if this is the case. Today we’ll talk about 2 simple ways to keep them looking fresh and feeling happy!
Fertilize!
Fertilize with Miracle Grow or Osmocote. Plants in containers often run out of nutrients a bit faster than plants in the ground, and if they are feeling stressed at all from the heat they will show it! Dry plants won’t move nutrients as efficiently so you can help them with regular feedings.
If you use miracle grow you can apply is once every 2 weeks and that keeps them green and lush and blooming. Remeber, if they are looking a little yellow that’s a sign that it is time to fertilize.
2. Chop-Chop!
Areas that look shriveled or are dying back are in need of a hair cut! Cut away anything dead or misshapen. Don’t worry, it’s not any different than going to the barber or salon to remove split ends and it will perk up your plants. As a result of pruning they will become bushier and healthier the new growth will bloom! In hot weather the shorter the distance water and nutrients have to travel, the better.
Make your cuts at the top of a leaf node so you’re not leaving any pointy ends or dried out twigs behind. Branches without any leaves can be cut back to the bottom of the plant. Don’t be afraid to cut off spent flowers, they will come back!
These two simple steps will improve the health of all of your pots, planters and hanging baskets and ensure they look beautiful all summer long! For a more detailed look at the pruning process check out our video below.
Watch Digging In
Deb