Hanging Basket 
A lovely addition to a porch or balcony and an excellent accent for the garden, moss-lined baskets have a natural look that can't be matched by conventional containers.
Before you begin, you'll need:
- a wire basket (one with a hanger; or a type of basket designed to attach to deck railing, as we used in this demo)
- rubber gloves
- unmilled spagnum moss, sometimes sold as 'green moss' in 4 qt. bags; and usually available at garden centers in half-bales
- potting soil
- 18 to 24 young plants in cell packs
- a bucket of water
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| There are two rules of thumb with this and all container plantings: All plants within the same container must have the same or very similar requirements for water and light. Moss baskets are great for annuals that will bloom profusely all season, and are better suited to shade or part-shade than full sun since they have a tendency to dry out quickly. They may require daily watering, and larger baskets will need good support since they can get quite heavy when wet. |
For the sake of simplicity, we've illustrated this technique (below) with only one type of plant, but bear in mind that variety adds the strongest elements of interest. The beauty of container plantings lies in the limitless possibilities; successful combinations usually have a main vertical element, a hanging element, and a central element to tie it all together. Wild variations in foliage, contrasting flower color, and plant habit play the same roles in containers as they do in gardens.
 | Fill a bucket with clean water, put on your rubber gloves and immerse the moss for several minutes. |  |
 | Line the bottom of the basket with moss, then carefully arrange the new plants so that rootballs & soil are inside the basket, and foliage is outside the basket. |  |
 | Add potting soil to the center of the basket, making sure that each rootball comes in contact with it. Make sure that moss is thick enough to keep soil from falling through. |  |
 | Water thoroughly making sure that there are no places where soil leaks out. Coconut fiber liner is often sold within baskets and can be used in place of moss. |  |
Don't worry if it takes a day or two for the plants to perk up. Keep well watered and nourished for peak performance. Most annuals do well with a balanced liquid fertilizer such as 30-30-30, but some may appreciate a bloom-booster preparation not as heavy on nitrogen.
This is a fun project for kids and adults, and wire baskets make great gifts!
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