WHO TO CALL: Community Editor Andrew McCredie 985-2131 (147) Home and Garden Editor Layne Christensen 985-2131 (118) _Container-type plantings are easy to assemble F ALL container-type plantings, the hang- ing basket is proba- bly the most attractive and popular. if you have not tried to plant your own bas- ket, this might be the year to ‘try. They are relatively easy to assemble provided you follow a few basic guidelines. : First, decide where you are _ going ta hang your basket(s). 3. High sun/ direct-light locations “will generally require a different “selection of plants thari a mottled - or deep-shade area. Moming sun is hot as much of a probiem as after- noon sun because the air tempera- ture has not reached its peak for the day... The location of the basket may also help to determine what type of container you choose. Solid plastic is less inclined lo dry out, especially if it has a water ‘tray at the base. Wooden baskets heat-up less quickly but are prone _- to. warp and opea up at the joints if they do get dry. They are also more difficult to fit with a drain pan. A shallow plastic liner with small holes will Slow the drainage...” Plastic mesh or wire baskets ~ filled with moss are very attractive but are more easily maintained in - shadier locations. The moss pro- vides a’ much greater surface aréa for evaporation. Baskets hanging out in the open ‘can become saturated with water. A cubic foot of water weighs. 624 pounds (28 kg); so a very strong “2 hook and chain may be required for the larger. moss baskets. AJ] baskets: oe should be secured with additional Roy Jonsson Sow it grows wire to keep them from jumping off their hooks during high winds. ‘This is particularly important for balcony gardens. Many gardeners make the mis- take of hanging their baskets so high that the drain tray is the most visible part of the display. Add a one-, two- or three-foot extender wire or chain between the eye hook and the basket hook and lower the basket to cye level or lower. The extender can serve as a trellis if you plant a small climber - in the centre of your basket. Choosing the right soil is impor- tant. Buy a lightweight potting soil that is fairly coarse in texture and has some perlite in it. Drainage and aeration are critical when the bas- -ket is first planted. If you wish to mix your own soil, use four parts garden soil, three parts coarse home compost, three parts peat and two parts per- lite. Add a tablespoon of dolomite lime to each five gallons of soil you mix. Commercial or garden mixed _ potting soils do not contain many : OUR BIGGEST Si GIANT PARKING LOT SALE COMPLETE PORTABLES i + SOLAR POOL COVERS fe * ROLLER SYSTEMS ‘ * INGROUND * ABOVE GROUND ve STANDARD &- Es STOCK HEAVY DUTY. 0 OFF _FROM ALSO ON SALE: * SHOCK + ALGIMYCIN GREAT DISCOUNTS ON VACS, BRUSH. 7 vt Ti, COOKING FEATURING nutrients. To each basket add 2 ounces of Osmocote or Nutricote slow-release fertilizer, This 14.14.14 pelletized fertilizer releas- es over.a period of 90 days at 20°C when wet. There is 2 new polymer crystal available that absorbs about 100” times its weight in water and then releases it as the soil dries. This will help with the water retention in baskets but { have concerns about what will happen to the poly- mer when the used soil ends up in the compost bin or garden. Hanging basket plants fall into four categories: climbers, upright, bunching and trailing. Climbers such as ipomea., thodochiton, ivy and thunbergia will crawl up the chain or wire or ' tumble down as a trailer. Upright plants such as geranium. some petunia and fuchsia will form top color while the bunching type plants such as marigolds. lobelia, heliotrope and impatiens will form side color. Trailing and vine like plants will cascade down the sides of the bas- ket. Calceolaria, ivy leaf geranium, trailing fuchsia, mimulus, lobelia. petunias, lotus vine and plectran- thus are the ones most commonly used in commercial baskets. One common planting mistake when making a basket is not using enough plants. An underplanted basket will never fill out and look good no matter how much fertilizer you use. Use 12 to 16 plants in each 10-inch wooden container or 30-plus for a large moss basket. A Poorly maintained basket can See Haul page 15 CHLORINE SUPER LARGE BUCKET NETS & TEST KITS! DEMONSTRATION SALEON .._- POOL & PATIO HEATERS ef cet ues oe NEWS photo Mike Wakefield HANGING BASKET plants . fall into four categories: | climbers, upright, bunching and trailing. Climbers Ike ivy will tumble down as will a trailer while upright plants like pansies will form top color.