Think Water Is Enough for Your Hanging Baskets? Think Again.
Every spring, gardeners lovingly pick out gorgeous hanging baskets and colourful patio planters, hang them up, give them a good drink of water… and then wait for nature to do the rest.
A few weeks later, they’re wondering:
“Why did my neighbour’s baskets explode with flowers while mine look like they’re taking an early retirement?”
The answer is almost always the same:
Water keeps plants alive. Fertilizer helps them thrive.
Your Hanging Basket Is Living on an Island
Unlike plants growing in your garden, hanging baskets and containers have a very limited amount of soil. Once the nutrients in that potting mix are used up, there’s nowhere else for the roots to go looking for food.
Even worse? Every time you water—which, during summer, could be every day—you wash a little more of those nutrients out of the pot.
Imagine eating breakfast every morning, but someone quietly takes a few bites off your plate before you sit down. Eventually, you’d start feeling pretty sluggish. That’s exactly what happens to your plants.
Water Isn’t Plant Food
This is probably the biggest misconception we hear.
Water is absolutely essential—but it’s like giving your plants something to drink without giving them anything to eat.
Plants need nutrients like:
- Nitrogen for lush green growth
- Phosphorus for strong roots and flowering
- Potassium for overall health and continuous blooms
Without these nutrients, flowers become smaller, blooming slows down, leaves begin to yellow, and plants simply don’t have the energy to perform.
The Secret to Those Magazine-Worthy Baskets
Have you ever seen hanging baskets that are absolutely overflowing with flowers all summer long?
They’re not magic.
They’re fed.
Professional growers fertilize regularly because they know flowering plants are incredibly hungry. To keep producing new blooms, they need a constant supply of nutrients.
The more flowers a plant makes, the more energy it uses—and the more fertilizer it needs to replace that energy.
How Often Should You Fertilize?
For most hanging baskets and patio containers, feeding every 1–2 weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer works beautifully.
Slow-release fertilizers are another excellent option, providing nutrients gradually over several months. Many gardeners even combine a slow-release fertilizer with occasional liquid feeding during peak summer growth for spectacular results.
Your Plants Will Thank You
Regular fertilizing means:
- Bigger, brighter blooms
- Rich green foliage
- More vigorous growth
- Longer-lasting displays
- Healthier plants that recover faster from hot weather
In short, you’ll spend less time wondering what’s wrong—and more time enjoying beautiful containers all season long.
Need Help Choosing the Right Fertilizer?
At Ridgeview Garden Centre, we carry a full selection of fertilizers specifically designed for flowering annuals, hanging baskets, patio planters, and containers. Whether you’re looking for an easy slow-release option or a fast-acting water-soluble fertilizer, we’ll help you choose the right product for your plants.
Because while water keeps your baskets alive…
Fertilizer is what makes your neighbours ask, “How do you get your flowers to look so good?”