Choosing Baskets and Plants:
- Opt for sturdy baskets with good drainage.
- Select plants suited to the location’s light and temperature, such as petunias, fuchsias, geraniums, lobelia, flowering vinca, and trailing vines like ivy or bacopa.
- Opt for sturdy baskets with good drainage.
Watering:
- Check soil moisture by inserting a pencil or straw; water if dry about an inch down.
- Avoid overwatering—ensure thorough watering with complete drainage.
- Consider self-watering systems or water-retaining additives for consistent moisture levels.
Fertilizing:
- Use a slow-release fertilizer every four to six weeks or a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks.
- Follow dosage instructions carefully to prevent over-fertilization.
Pruning and Deadheading:
- Trim leggy or overgrown stems to promote fuller growth.
- Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
- Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears for precise cuts.
Pest and Disease Management:
- Inspect plants regularly for pests or disease.
- Remove any affected parts immediately and use organic insecticides if necessary.
- Ensure good air circulation and avoid overcrowding.
Dealing with Leggy Growth:
- Prune elongated stems to promote bushier growth.
- Pinch stem tips and deadhead regularly.
- Fertilize every two to three weeks and ensure proper sunlight.
- If legginess persists, consider transplanting into fresh, nutrient-rich soil with proper drainage.
“With proper watering, feeding, and a little attention, hanging baskets can stay full and vibrant for months,” said Stuart Leventhal of Down to Earth Living. “They’re a simple way to create impact in any outdoor space.”
Bring Your Backyard Ideas to Life This Spring at Down to Earth Living
Down to Earth Living encourages customers to bring in inspiration, such as online images, or magazine clippings along with pictures of their outdoor space for personalized design guidance. Their team helps shoppers choose the right plants, shrubs, containers, statuary, and other elements to create the look they want. The expanded indoor plant showroom is now open for spring, and customers receive free repotting with the purchase of a plant or pot, making it easy to refresh both indoor and outdoor spaces.
56 Years of Garden Inspiration: Visit Down to Earth Living
Down to Earth Living, now in its 56th year, is a Garden Center serving Rockland, Bergen and Orange counties and the Hudson Valley, offering 12.5 acres filled with perennials, flowers, shrubs, and trees, with new plants arriving weekly. The 10,000-square-foot showroom has a large and unique selection of contemporary, classic, traditional, and transitional teak, aluminum, and all-weather dining and deep-seated furniture. Down to Earth Living is located near Bergen County at 1040 Route 45 in Pomona, New York. For more information, call 845-354-8500 or visit www.dteliving.com.
