When I wanted to make a basket planter last longer, it was not too hard, once I found all the things I already had to use to help me accomplish the goal.
I love the look of rustic garden accents. But items made from organic materials have a limited life, spending all that time in the rain and sun all season.
For this one, I found ways to extend its usefulness and good looks. The ideas can apply to others, too.
My mother got this hanging basket several years ago. It came full of plants and it looked great. The price reflected its splendor!
I’ve been using it for some years now, and here’s how I keep it functional and looking its best:
After the season, empty the pot and bring it inside for the winter. That eliminates at least 5 months of wear and tear outdoors in our winter climate. I keep the parts all together in a shed, so it’s ready to replant and bring out in the spring.
Beneath the surface, this container is not exactly what it seems. I assemble this in layers so that there is no soil in direct contact with the basket.
Based on the shape:
In the “point” of the pyramid, I use a wad of garden fabric. It is light weight, drains well and is a good use for scrap pieces.
Above that, there are several leftover 4-inch pots from the garden center, nested. The number depends on how much space is needed to support the layer above. This is to raise up the “real” pot on the top level.
The flowers are placed in a plastic pot that is just the right size and shape to fit inside the rim of the wicker. Talk about putting a round peg in a square hole!
An added bonus is that I can plant the plastic section long before the unit can go outdoors, giving the flowers time to take root, then assembling the whole thing when it is warm enough to hang in place.
I would vary this model depending on the size and shape of the outer piece
Once the calibrachoa, petunias or other annuals get large enough, they drape over the sides and you would never know that the whole thing is not full of dirt. Everything drains, and this arrangement provides a beautiful element for our garden all season long.