Create great hanging baskets
for your porch
Hanging baskets can provide you with exceptional color on your porch and create amazing curb appeal. Placed strategically, they can also create a sense of privacy.
 
You can also create a hanging basket garden on your porch. And remember, you don't have to hang the baskets from your eaves or beams, you can use plant stands and place them where you'd like!
Photo courtesy of antsphoto
Let's build a basket
First- select a basketMost hanging flower baskets are made of either wire or plastic are range in size from 8 to 24 inches. Liners for wire baskets come in plastic, pressed paperboard, coco fiber, or sphagnum moss. If you use a paperboard liner, drill holes in the bottom for drainage. Place a few small to medium size rocks in the bottom so the holes don't get clogged with dirt and prevent drainage. You may want to purchase water absorbing mats to line your containers also. 
Sphagnum moss and coco fiber are very porous so they have the tendency to dry out quickly. These materials allow you to poke holes around the perimeter of the planter.
Second - need soilPay a little more attention to this step and you'll have great flowering baskets. Fill the container with lightweight potting soil. You can either purchase this type soil or make it yourself. (You'd need equal parts of vermiculite, perlite, and peat moss). Look for packaged soils that contain fertilizers ,preferably slow-release. This will save you time later as you wouldn't have to add water-soluble fertilizers. Fill your container to about an inch or two from the top to make it easier to water.
Third - plant! Consider this in two parts. One, select the right plants and two, arrange them to maximize their beauty. Choosing a single kind of flower will give you the greatest impact; selecting a combination can be interesting. Just make sure your basket is large enough to accommodate a variety of flowers.
Also, you'll want to make sure your combo plants range in size from tall to short so that they can all be seen. Place taller plants in the center and work outwards with smaller sizes. Leave the smallest and/or trailing plants for the edges. Also, try to include plants that flower at different times. Pinch the tops of plants when they appear leggy.
Photo courtesy of Akrabat
Fourth - water Water your soil really well after planting. Due to the nature of planters, you may have to water daily when it's really hot. You can purchase a long-neck watering device to help you reach baskets high overhead. One way to see if they need water is to lift them slightly. If they seem light- they need water. Going on vacation? Make sure you have someone water your plants when you are away or consider using a self-watering planter.
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