WATERING: In the hot summer months, your basket will need water everyday however in Spring,it is important to first test the weight of the basket before watering. Place your hand under the container and check the weight by lifting slightly; you will be able to tell whether your basket needs water or not. It is a good idea to check the weight of your basket right after a good watering so you know how it feels when the soil is full of water compared to when it is close to drying out. If it does need water, do so until the water flows freely from the drain holes on the bottom. It may appear that water is draining from the bottom but it could simply be water running off the side of the pot. Make sure the water is running out of the bottom of the container. Of course in summer you may experience cold and cloudy days and there can be very hot days in Spring. Again, feel the weight of your basket to know for sure.

FERTILIZING: Watering pulls the nutrients out of the soil so it is important to replace them with a fertilizer. Mix fertilizer (15-30-15) according to directions and feed your basket AFTER a good watering. The roots are open for drinking and will absorb the fertilizer much better. We recommend fertilizing 1-3 times a week depending on the weather and how much you are watering. Every second or third watering is a good way to go. If you want your baskets to have ‘flower power’ and to look as gorgeous as they did when they left the greenhouse you must feed them with fertilizer.

DEAD HEADING: After a flower has bloomed to its full potential it should be removed.  This will force the plant to produce another flower. Pinch the dead flower back to the main stem ensuring the removal of the seed pod. If a plant grows leggy or out of proportion to the rest of the basket, do not hesitate to trim it back into shape.   If this is done regularly your basket should flower until October or the first frost.