Hanging flower baskets are likely to dry out or wilt during next week's heatwave unless gardeners add a simple kitchen item to the soil. With temperatures expected to exceed 25C across parts of the UK, these baskets can become completely dry within a single day due to maximum sun exposure and minimal soil volume.
Why Hanging Baskets Are Vulnerable
Flowers in hanging baskets face intense sunlight and have limited soil to protect their roots. During scorching days, they can lose significant amounts of water in just a few hours. If the soil dries out entirely, flowers may shed petals, wilt, or become too stressed to continue growing.
The Simple Solution: Kitchen Sponges
Elizabeth McCoy, a seasoned gardener and founder of A Forest Garden, has revealed a straightforward method to keep hanging baskets hydrated. She recommends adding plain, untreated kitchen sponges to the soil.
"The sponges will serve as little reservoirs to soak up excess water when it is available and release it later to the soil and roots when it is needed," McCoy explained. "I placed several sponge fragments around those holes in the bag to soak up water before it drains out."
Sponges are highly absorbent and retain substantial amounts of water, helping to prevent the soil from drying out during sunny spells. While you will still need to monitor your baskets, this trick reduces how frequently they require watering, allowing you to enjoy the warm weather without worrying about your flowers.
How to Apply the Sponge Trick
Purchase plain sponges from the cleaning section of any supermarket, ensuring they are not pre-treated with soap or cleaning agents. Then, slice the sponges into smaller chunks and position them at the base of the hanging basket, between the plastic liner and the compost. It is also beneficial to place a few pieces around the basket's perimeter, as the soil there tends to dry out more rapidly.
After adding the sponges, give the basket a thorough watering. Your blooms should remain vibrant and thriving throughout the warmer months.
Additional Tips for Moisture Retention
It is still advisable to inspect hanging baskets daily during late spring to assess whether they need watering. However, incorporating sponges means you will not constantly need to tend to them with a watering can. Many gardeners also line their baskets with an extra plastic liner to help preserve moisture, which can be purchased from a garden centre, though a basic shopping bag works just as well.
Remember to use scissors to pierce holes in the plastic so excess water can drain from the basket. While retaining moisture is crucial, you do not want the soil to become waterlogged.
