How to plant up a hanging basket

1. Put your hanging basket on a flowerpot to keep it steady.

2. Line your basket with a recycled wool or cocoa fibre liner, allowing it to rise slightly proud of the basket.

3. Using scissors, cut holes in the side and bottom of the liner so you can plant through it.

4. The next step is to fill your basket half full with compost (mix it with swell gel granules to retain moisture), adding a slow-release fertiliser to feed your plants.

5. Now, you must gently ease the root balls of your plants through the holes in the liner, working from the front to the back.

6. Top up the compost level, then fill the top of the basket with more plants. Planting looks best when it is fairly dense, without overcrowding.

7. Top up compost levels where necessary.

8. Hang into position, before watering the basket thoroughly but gently.

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Originally published April 2009