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Fool Proof Coir Baskets with #MiracleGroProject

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Who doesn’t love the look of lush, overflowing baskets of flowers hanging on the porch? I spent a few years dutifully filling coir-lined baskets with plants and soil, watering them religiously for a few weeks and then forgetting for a day or so and then everything dies. It doesn’t take very long at all for all the moisture to disappear and the plants get crispy. Turns out there is a trick to using those baskets, a trick no one told me. In an attempt to save some plants I’m passing it on to you today. This tip is brought to you by Chicken Scratch and Miracle-Gro.

Miracle Gro Potting Soil Project

You’ll need:

  • a coir-lined basket (Lowes has 2-3 styles and all are under $5)
  • a sheet of heavy plastic (I used an empty mulch bag)
  • Scissors
  • Moisture Control Potting Mix
  • Plants
  • Bucket or empty planter (optional)

Set your planter on top of the bucket to keep it stable, or just prop it up on the table. Line the basket with the plastic, clip a few holes in the bottom to prevent water from pooling or causing a volcano-style run over. Add some potting mix, enough to bring to top of your plants to the top of the basket when you set them in. Clip the plastic back, about an inch or so below the top of the liner, it’s not pretty so you don’t want it to show.

Plastic Lined Coir Baskets

Break up the root balls and place your plants in the basket. Add more soil around them, press down to eliminate air bubbles and keep the plants steady. Give them a healthy watering and hang them up, thanks to the special moisture control potting mix and the plastic liner your plants are ready for the summer heat.

I hope this helps your summer planting projects stay healthy. If you need some more planting inspiration check out Miracle Gro on Pinterest and be sure to follow their boards for fun garden projects for the whole family. If you’re more interested in an interactive community go visit The Gro Project on Faceboook. Now go get dirty!.

*Update* The basket did better than I ever thought possible! It survived high temps and full sun that put this pregnant lady on modified bed rest. I moved it to the front bed where I never remembered to water it and it thrived all summer long into the fall where it eventually died under a few inches of snow.

 

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Michele

Tuesday 22nd of March 2016

So helpful! Thank-you!! I wish I read your pin a day earlier though since I just planted mine all wrong! ? I think it will be okay to go back and dig it up and do it properly since it's only been a day or so. I love Miracle Gro soil and the moisture control makes a lot of sense for the coir basket. Thanks again for the great tips!

Alecia

Friday 25th of March 2016

I killed quite a few hanging baskets before I learned the plastic trick, it's really a life saver!

Mary Ann

Friday 3rd of May 2013

Who knew? Thanks for the tip, I have to two baskets to renew, and always wondered why they dried out so very quickly!

Alecia

Saturday 4th of May 2013

It seems so simple now, you'd think I would have realized it when I watered the plants and the water just ran right through that they weren't holding enough!