Get brilliant, healthy hanging baskets by following our guide on watering hanging baskets – including how much, how often and using grey water for recycling.

The water flow is controlled by a thumb switch at the base of the grip, and you can twist the nozzle to change between the five different spray options. While this watering wand is marketed as capable of reaching hanging baskets, we think this may not be realistic for shorter users or users with limited mobility. However, the comfortable grip, five spray settings, and thumb flow control lever make it a great choice for urban gardeners and other light watering tasks. The systems are easy to install, and ultra-slim piping ensures that they remain unobtrusive when seen against your property. Most problems with hanging baskets are related to watering. If they are not flowering well it could be one of these causes: Despite its large size (the length of the entire watering can is more than two feet), we were delighted to find that the watering can managed to fit in a normal-sized kitchen sink. The XXXFlower Watering Can is able to hold 1.5 gallons (6 liters) of water and features a long spout that is adjustable, so you can turn the included rose attachment in multiple different directions for watering. Though the water stream was sometimes difficult to control when the can was full, we found the rain shower-like stream to be manageable. Wherever you hang your baskets, if violent storms are forecast take them down for the duration and stand them on a pot in your greenhouse or a cool room until the weather improves again.

Watering hanging baskets – what you should know

Never use container plants for shade alongside flowers for pots in full sun, and take care not to include fast-growing plants with those that are slower, as they will swamp the others and you will end up with a basket full of the same plant. If you’re still inclined to give your baskets more than a glass a day consider placing pots under your baskets to capture any excess run-off. This also means you will capture the nutrients that would have escaped, so saving on feeding. Where possible, place your baskets where they have access to plenty of sun, light winds and rain (so you don’t have to water as much!). Hanging baskets are notoriously difficult to water. A recentRHS surveyfound three quarters of respondents wanted advice on how to water baskets and containers. Janet Manning, former RHS Water Management Specialist, trialleda variety of watering methods to find the best one. Hangingbasket watering techniques trial This depends on the size of your plant collection and the type of plants you have. If you have a large plant collection that includes indoor plants, outdoor plants, and/or a garden, lugging around one giant watering can will just be uncomfortable and taxing on your body. If this is the case, get different size watering cans, with the bigger one dedicated to the larger plant collection you have. If you dabble in gardening and grow either flowers or seedlings, make sure at least one of them has a rose spout.

By doing so you will help the plants to thrive and grow and you are less likely to have to go to the trouble of replacing any that have fallen foul of the weather.

The large sprinkler attachment works pretty well and it detachable for watering different plants. As watering can roses go, this one is pretty temperamental and if you catch it on a bush whilst walking past, it is liable to snag and fall off – annoying. All plants in container gardens require more water than those growing in the ground, so don't make one of the most common hanging basket mistakes and forget to water yours regularly. What's more, unlike patio containers that have regular access to rain, hanging baskets may be sheltered by the house eaves or used as part of your summer porch decor so they miss out on seasonal showers too. You couldn’t easily just stand the watering can under a running tap without risk of water splashing everywhere.) Who doesn’t love a billowing basket? But covering the soil surface with flowers and foliage can also help prevent the soil being exposed to the sun and drying out. Of course, opting for drought-tolerant plants like succulents will also help you to conserve water and mean you can leave your baskets largely unattended while you holiday. Always opt for a good quality peat-free compost as they will have better water holding capacity. In times of drought, recycle grey water – that is, leftover water from the kitchen sink, shower and bath – on the garden, always avoiding edibles, to be safe.

Less wastage as water is captured in the reservoir, water delivered to the roots and stored for later use Perfect for hanging baskets, pots and other hard to reach areas (where you may struggle with a large and cumbersome regular watering can.) Similarly, don’t decide to plant too few in the hope they will grow and fill the space.Plants don’t like having their roots floating around in too much cold, empty potting soil. Yes, they will eventually grow but, again, may not give you the display you hoped for. RHS research has shown that they can survive on as little as a teacup of water a day – that’s just 160ml or 6floz – with overwatering likely to lead to poor quality plants. If you have many baskets, you might consider using anautomated watering system. Drip irrigation systems deliver water slowly and directly to the roots so there is less risk of wasting water.They can be used with timers but still need to be adjusted as the plants grow bigger and the weather changes. Most drip irrigation systems are designed for mains tap water use as they need very clean and pressurised water for the drippers to operate correctly. CompostThe brass rose on this Haws can is a fine brass oval, meaning a more direct sprinkle of water, so you won’t splash water all over your feet when watering the hanging baskets. The Apollo Gardening watering can has a unique vintage style, and would double as a nice garden ornament when it is not being used. If you grow little shrubs or perennials in your baskets, feed them annually in spring by adding a slow-release fertiliser. Deadheading While they will thrive in a sheltered, sunny spot they will be at the mercy of the elements and get a real battering if you hang them on a windy corner or along a fence you are using as a windbreak. In the excitement of creating a colorful hanging basket to light up your yard, it’s easy to get carried away and add too many plants. Try to curb your enthusiasm and aim for one plant per inch of basket diameter – so a 12in basket should contain 12 plants, an 18in basket 18 plants, and so on.

As reviewed in the Telegraph Thorny problems: how can I help my elderly mother garden? You may also like… If you water until it runs out of the bottom of the basket, soluble nutrients that the plant needs to flower will be washed out of the compost as well as waste water.” Bosmere 1 Liter Watering Can is a beautiful can that has been constructed from pure cotton. Featuring a long-arched spout this watering can comfortably transfer water to all those hanging baskets. As far as looks are concerned, it’s one of the most beautiful watering cans out there. In fact, if you are looking for a reliable watering can then it’s the right choice.The RHS said: “In spring, summer and early autumn (April to September), apply a liquid fertiliser, preferably after normal watering.” The trial results can be used to describe the summer and winter differences in the water cycle at a scale that many gardeners can relate to, ie when there are winter rains, the water is best captured in below-ground reservoirs to be used later. Having the surface of the compost bone dry isn’t a problem, and probably helps to reduce evaporation from the soil, reducing water loss. When the compost is very wet, plants help to dry the compost by evapotranspiration, making space in the root zone to capture the next rain when it comes. This telescoping option from Orbit is our choice for best reach because of its fireman water flow control. Rather than having to choke your grip on the handle of the wand, you can easily rest your hand on the water control valve, which should also make the experience of watering tall hanging plants slightly more comfortable. This wand is also one of the lightest options in this roundup, which we think is important for a wand specifically selected for its reach. Overwatering.If you water until it runs out of the bottom of the basket,soluble nutrients that the plants need to flower will be washed out of the compost, as well as wastingwater