22 March 2025
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The sodding mode to learn to garden is to start in miniature . The hanging hoop drive the same discipline as large - scale gardening with attention to lachrymation , eating and industrial plant wellness ; but … they can be hung on balcony railings and wall , so they ’re a brilliant way to make further utilisation of vertical space .
I care to grow what I call ‘ potager baskets ’ . These are based on the old strait-laced idea of a potager garden , which is all about food , but with a little twist . I wish to mix up edibles by fox in some heyday too , which means you get beautiful handbasket that are generative and pretty but also neat for pollinator .
First , choose a primal plant for your basket and then add train vegetable or flowers around the edges . My favourite combos let in verbena , tomato plant and chive ; strawberry ( with their parachuting runner ) , lobelia and basil ; rainbow chard , English ivy - allow for pelargonium and love apple .
pick out a wire basket or trough that ’s at least 25 cm rich . Add sustainably source moss or sisal liner to hold the compost in place and provide a moist , weewee - draw base . constitute your trailing plants through the sides of the basket in a triangular organization with moss and peat - detached compost to check the whole basket fulfil out . Finally , industrial plant into the top of the basket .
hang basket success is not potential without some daily TLC . Pick over numb leave and flowerheads , and thin as needed . If you ’re develop edibles , you’re able to sum any thinning to your plate !
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enquiry and Answer
Q. Any tips on watering ?
A. Your basket may need watering once a daylight in hot conditions . Always water at the kickoff or end of the day for maximum absorption , and water close to the roots rather than on the leaves . I institute containers with drip trays below all my baskets , so excess water run from the basket give the container underneath .
Q. How often will I need to feed a basket ?
A. I add slow - release organic cumfrey pellets when I build up the basket and then melted provender after two months with seaweed extract , which has lots of touch elements for found unseasoned plant . After this , I will sprinkle a few comfrey pellets every six week . These are high in atomic number 19 so trigger copious fruit and flowers .
Q. What herbs can I grow in a hoop ?
A. I ’ve had success with chive , Chinese parsley , basil and parsley , but merge these with good deal , thyme and other herbaceous herbs and your basket will last a couple of season . Pinch out the dominant bud at the tip of the shoot on a regular basis with your fingertips . This encourage side shoot and helps the industrial plant become shaggy-haired . melt off any overcrowded leaves .
