What’s the best way to water hanging baskets?
With brighter weather on its way, its time to start thinking about watering your hanging baskets more sustainably this summer and Amberol have some top tips to keep them blooming for longer, while saving time, water and money!
Traditional hanging baskets are difficult to maintain, as they need frequent watering because of the ambient air dries out the soil in planters more quickly, especially during the summer months.
Amberol’s self-watering hanging baskets are used by many Britain in Bloom groups and councils because they are more sustainable and require less maintenance. They don’t leak and only need to be watered once or twice a week, saving time, water and money.
Ways of watering…
Hanging baskets create an interesting focal point because of their height, but this can also make them tricky to reach when watering. It’s also difficult to touch test the soil and so there is a higher risk of under or overwatering. Some councils and businesses have irrigation systems while many others use equipment such as a long-handled water wand.
The whole issue of watering hanging baskets has recently been a subject for debate amongst some of our customers who have been sharing advice and experiences. One customer who uses a metal wand with a curved end to reach the holes in the planter finds that it works well but tends to be a two-handed task. Being a helpful bunch, other In Bloomers have chipped in with some useful suggestions to make the job easier for anyone using a metal wand to water hanging baskets. Tips include looking for the Amberol sticker as that shows where the watering hole is or alternatively, putting silver tape at the bottom of the basket. Other suggestions cutting the watering wand to make it less of an arc so it's easier to insert.
Watering advice from Amberol
Tim Troman, Amberol’s Business Development Manager supports the above advice and said: “Using a swan neck lance helps ensure the water goes down into the reservoir of the hanging basket. The watering holes on the Amberol hanging baskets are easier to locate, as the Amberol logo usually sits below the watering hole. The benefits of having two people involved in the watering process is one could move aside the flowers to help the other person to fill the watering hole easier if the cascades of flowers are covering it.”
A style for every site
Amberol’s range of self-watering hanging baskets includes a Wicker Effect Basket, the Imperial Hanging Basket which comes in two sizes as well as Cup and Saucer planters and conventional styled baskets. All are self-watering and made from recyclable polyethylene.
Spring/summer 2024 photo competition
Don’t forget to share your summer hanging basket photos with us. Our spring/summer photo competition opens for entries on 1st May 2024 and runs until 30th September 2024. Results will be announced in October 2024.
Entering is very easy; just submit your photos of Amberol’s self-watering planters with your wonderful displays via the online form on the Amberol website. Your photos will then be entered into the public vote taking place in October.
How can we help?
To find out more about how Amberol’s self-watering planters could help you create a stunning floral display, call 01773 830 930 or email sales@amberol.co.uk. We can also arrange a bespoke virtual demo to view our planters in more detail.
