How to Water Flowers in Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets on a porch or deck is a simple way to add color and fill space. Whether you plant hardy annuals or opt for lush green English ivy, proper watering is essential to keeping your container garden healthy. Hanging baskets dry out quickly and require frequent watering. But there are several things you can do to help these flowers stay hydrated. Read on to learn how to water flowers in hanging baskets.

Polymer crystals

Water slices

Small bowl

Pebbles

Watering wand

Cut down on the amount of watering you need to do by adding polymer to your potting mix. The crystals absorb more than their weight in water and then slowly release it over time.

Place water slices in the bottom of your hanging basket prior to planting flowers. Soak the slice in water for a few hours before placing it in the basket. As you water your basket, the slice will refill itself and continue the cycle of a slow release watering.

Put a small bowl partially filled with pebbles in the bottom of the basket before you plant. Add water to the bowl and cover with soil. The bowl acts like a well and stores water that flowers will pull up through their roots.

Use a watering wand that provides a wide soft shower so you don't pound the flowers as you water. Providing a light soft stream of water will also allow for better absorption into the soil.

Immerse the entire basket in a large bucket of water for several minutes if the soil is completely dry. If only the top inch or so of soil is dry, then any of the above methods are all that is needed.

Watering systems like the polymer crystals and water slices can be found at most garden centers.