Because hanging baskets have limited soil and are exposed to air on all sides, they are the "divas" of the garden. If you want them to stay lush until fall, follow these three steps:

 

1. The "Daily Dip" Check

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• Hanging baskets dry out exponentially faster than ground plants. Get in the habit of doing the Weight Test: give the bottom of the basket a gentle lift. Does it feel light as a feather? It’s thirsty. Water until you see it pouring out of the drainage holes. On 90°F days, don't be surprised if you're watering twice—once in the morning and once at sunset.

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2. Feed Them Like They’re Hungry (Because They Are)

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• Every time you water, you’re washing away nutrients. If you only use plain water, your plants will eventually turn yellow and stop blooming. Use a water-soluble fertilizer every 10–14 days. Once the baskets begin to mature, it will be necessary to feed them at least once a week to maintain color and bloom, especially on baskets that have considerably hanging foliage. If leaves seem to be getting lighter green, feed more.

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3. Give Them a Mid-Summer Trim

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• Is your basket looking "leggy" or thin in the middle? Don’t be afraid to grab the shears! Trimming back long, straggly stems by about a third encourages the plant to branch out and produce a fresh flush of blooms. It’ll look a little short for a week, but the comeback will be glorious.

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• Pro Tip: If you're heading out of town for the weekend, bring your baskets down and put them in a shady spot on the grass, they'll retain moisture much longer than they would swinging in the wind!