I’ve always loved the looks of a moss hanging basket. Most years I will make it the “ball-of-flowers” where you have flowers coming out the sides of the wire basket, too.
But this year I’m all about “easy and simple”. I was even going to skip the moss altogether and simply line the wire basket with burlap, but I had a difficult time finding burlap around here. So when I found just enough moss in the garden shed to line these two baskets, I decided to use it instead.
I ordered a huge bale of this sphagnum moss from Topiary Artworks. It has worked well for my baskets and lasted me several years.
I put the moss in an old bucket and cover it with water. The moss needs to sit in water for a while, as it is really dry when you get it. To make your basket, you want everything wet – including the moss and potting soil.
A couple fans to watch you is a must!
These little guys were eating lunch and playing with the dog at the same time!
As well as giving me pointers on how to make my baskets . . .
Using another old bucket, I dump the potting soil into it. Then I put enough water in to make it good and wet, but not “sopping wet”.
Hanging my basket on a hook, I squeeze out a handful of dripping wet moss and put a thick layer on the bottom. Now if I were going to have flowers coming out the sides, here is where I’d put my first row of flowers through wires – roots inward.
Squeezing out handfuls of moss, I continue up the sides. Being careful to pack it well so that moss doesn’t keep slipping through the wires.
Next I fill it with my wet potting soil. I’ve found that if you don’t have the soil wet first, and then plant your flowers in the dry dirt, you will end up with a “sunken-in” look. The first time you water your flowers, your soil and flowers sink down into your basket.
Wet dirt is good! And your mom isn’t looking while you play in the mud.
Now comes the fun part.
Plant your flowers!
I used supertunias since the lady at the greenhouse told me they are great for hanging baskets. They are a trailing petunia – and I love that look!
I’ve used impatiens sometimes when I make the “ball-of-flowers”, but for some reason I can’t get impatiens to grow as well here in Idaho as I did back east. Petunias seem to work better for me.
Not all of homemaking is dirty dishes and stinky diapers. God knew we moms needed flowers to cheer us up and give us something to play with!
“The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, Thou hast founded them.” Psalm 89:11
Linking to blogs on our Linkup Page.
- The Adventum CD Collection – Sale Now - March 27, 2021
- Alternative To Facebook Option - January 30, 2021
- The Beauty of the Hoary Head - January 2, 2021
Vanessa says
So pretty! That looks super simple to do too! Thanks for linking it to our Make Bake Create party!!