Keep Baskets & Containers Fresh All Season

Keep hanging baskets and planters looking their best all season long with a few tips from the experts at Gertens.

Gertens Hanging Basket

• Pick

Pick - Deadheading your annual basket will ensure more flowers. Pick off dead flowers and the stem they’re attached to down to the main stem of the plant. 

• Pluck

Pluck - Yellow leaves could mean your basket is being watered too much or too little. Pluck off the yellow leaves and change your watering habits and schedule. It could also mean that your plant is getting too much or too little light. Try moving your plant to a different place in your yard where the light will be different.

• Prune

Prune -  when your Gertens hanging basket or planter starts looking overgrown and leggy it's time to prune. Don't be afraid to cut it back quite short. Cut all the plants back until they are between four and five inches tall. This will get rid of all that extra foliage and your plant will begin flowering again.

Fertilizer 

Annuals are heavy feeders. Give your hanging basket a shot of Minnesota's favorite fertilizer, Green Loon Bloom Enhancer, and you'll see why it's the best. Specifically formulated to work best with flowers in our climate, it beats out the major big box store brands any day. Simply mix with water in a sprinkling can and make your flowers happy.

Watering

Be sure to water your annuals at least once a day. Excessive heat and sunshine will dry them out quickly so you may need to water multiple times per day.

• Full sun planters will perform better if watered in the morning. Go out before you head out to start your day and give your basket a good soaking. 
• Water shade flowers any time of the day. 
• Make sure to water your basket/planter until water starts draining out the bottom. Then check to make sure the water is being retained. You can tell by gently lifting the hanging basket from the bottom. If it feels heavy that means it has enough water saturating the soil. If it feels light then go ahead and give it more water.

Shade Plants

Storm/weather problems

To help your struggling hanging basket take it down and put it in a protected spot on the ground. It may have gotten damaged by a recent storm or high winds. Leave it on the ground until it starts perking up again and then move it back. If you know bad weather is coming, take it down and place it in a protected area before any damage. 

The experts at Gertens are always available to answer your questions!