In this issue, our resident allotment expert Harry gives us top tips for gardening over the coming months. As we hit spring Harry takes us through how to set up a hanging basket.
Before you start you need at least a 12 inch hanging basket some multi purpose compost and most of all plants! Firstly line the basket with a liner and make sure you put drainage holes in about a quarter of the way up. This causes a well in the bottom to retain moisture. Fill the basket with multi purpose compost leaving a couple of inches from the top. Select a plant to put into the middle. I would recommend Geraniums at this time of year.
The baskets should look full of flowers so put a couple of Surfinias in with them and then some Trailing Lobelia. Make sure you water them before you start hanging. Try to find a place where frost will not set and make sure it is in full sunlight. Do not put the hanging basket outside until there is no threat of a frost.
Finally, always remember to water your basket regularly and feed it with plant food once a week (you can pick these up quite cheaply at your nearest garden centre). Keep an eye out for any 'dead heads', which means any buds of the flowers that have died, and cut them off when you see them.
Happy Planting !