As summer fades, your once-lush hanging baskets might look a bit tired. Don’t just toss them out! Figuring out what to do with hanging baskets after summer opens up a world of creative possibilities for your autumn garden.
With a little effort, you can give those baskets new life. This saves you money and adds seasonal charm to your outdoor space. Let’s look at some smart ways to repurpose them this fall.
What To Do With Hanging Baskets After Summer
Your first step is a simple assessment. Take a good look at your hanging baskets. Are the summer annuals completely spent, or do they have a little life left? Check the soil quality too—it might be exhausted after a full season of growth.
Clearing out the old plants is next. Gently remove the summer annuals. You can add healthy ones to your compost pile. If any plants showed signs of disease, it’s best to discard them in the trash to prevent spreading problems.
Refresh the potting mix. Over a season, soil compacts and loses nutrients. Remove about the top third to half of the old mix. Replace it with fresh, high-quality potting soil. This gives any new plants a great start without the need for a completely new basket.
Plant a Stunning Fall Display
Autumn is perfect for cool-weather plants. Your refreshed baskets can shine again with the right choices. Think about rich colors and interesting textures that withstand cooler nights.
Here are some excellent plant combinations for fall hanging baskets:
* Ornamental Kale and Cabbage: These provide fantastic structure and come in purples, pinks, and creams. They actually get more vibrant after a frost.
* Pansies and Violas: For reliable color all season, these are champions. They’ll bloom well into mild winters and again in early spring.
* Trailing Ivy or Creeping Jenny: Add lush, trailing greenery that contrasts beautifully with flowering plants.
* Heuchera (Coral Bells): Offers stunning foliage in shades like amber, purple, and silver.
* Swiss Chard ‘Bright Lights’: The colorful stems of yellow, pink, and red are both edible and decorative.
When planting, use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the fresh soil. Water them in well and place the basket in a sunny to partly sunny spot.
Grow Practical Fall Edibles
Why not grow a snack? Many herbs and greens thrive in the cool autumn weather and do perfectly well in containers like hanging baskets.
This approach is both beautiful and useful. You can easily step outside and snip fresh ingredients for your kitchen.
Consider planting these edible options:
* Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, arugula, and mustard greens grow quickly. You can harvest them as “cut-and-come-again” crops.
* Cool-Season Herbs: Parsley, cilantro, chives, and thyme are excellent choices. They often survive light frosts.
* Strawberries: Some alpine or day-neutral varieties can produce a fall crop when planted in late summer.
Remember, edible plants need consistent moisture and good drainage. Check the soil regularly, as autumn winds can dry out baskets quickly.
Simple Steps for a Herb Basket
1. Fill your cleaned basket with fresh potting mix, leaving a 2-inch gap at the top.
2. Gently remove your herb seedlings from their pots and loosen the roots slightly.
3. Arrange them in the basket, placing taller herbs like chives in the center and trailing ones like creeping thyme at the edges.
4. Fill in around them with more soil, firm gently, and water thoroughly.
Create Natural Autumn Decor
If you don’t want to replant, turn your basket into a seasonal decoration. This is a wonderful project for a crisp afternoon.
Start with a clean, empty basket. You can leave the old coco liner or moss in place as a natural base. Then, gather materials from your garden, a local farm, or a craft store.
Here’s how to make a harvest-themed basket:
* Base Layer: Use preserved moss or dried grasses to cover the soil.
* Focal Points: Add small gourds, mini pumpkins, pine cones, or dried seed pods like magnolia or sweetgum.
* Trailing Elements: Incorporate dried vines, bittersweet, or even strands of fall leaves.
* Accents: Tuck in dried wheat stalks, cinnamon sticks, or berry spriggs for extra color and texture.
Secure everything with floral pins or a little hot glue. Hang it on your porch or by your front door for instant autumn charm. It will last for many weeks.
Prepare Baskets for Winter and Spring
Sometimes, the best action is to get a head start on next year. Your hanging baskets can be the perfect place to plant hardy bulbs for early spring color.
This “lasagna” planting method provides a long season of blooms from a single container. It’s easier than you might think.
Choose bulbs that bloom at different times. For example:
1. In your cleaned basket, add a few inches of fresh potting soil.
2. Place the largest, latest-blooming bulbs (like tulips or daffodils) in first, pointy-end up. Cover them with soil.
3. Add a layer of smaller, earlier bulbs (like crocus or muscari). Cover with more soil.
4. You can even add winter pansies or ivy on the very top for immediate greenery.
5. Water well and place the basket in a sheltered spot for the winter. In spring, you’ll get a sequential flower show!
Alternatively, you can simply clean and store empty baskets. Brush off all old soil, let them dry completely, and store them in a garage or shed over winter. This protects them from rotting and extends there life for many seasons.
FAQ: Your Hanging Basket Questions Answered
Can I leave my summer plants in the basket for fall?
Most summer annuals (like petunias and geraniums) won’t survive frost. It’s best to remove them once they fade. Some, like hardy fuchsias, might survive in sheltered spots.
How often should I water fall hanging baskets?
Check them daily. Cooler air can be drying. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but avoid waterlogging as growth slows.
What do I do with the old potting soil?
You can reuse it in garden beds or around shrubs as a top dressing. Don’t reuse it for new pots without refreshing it first, as it will be low on nutrients.
My basket liner is falling apart. Can I fix it?
Yes! You can often place a new plastic or coco liner inside the old frame. Or, line a wire basket with fresh sphagnum moss before adding soil.
Is it to late to plant fall baskets in October?
Not at all. As long as the ground isn’t frozen, you can plant cool-season favorites like pansies, ornamental kale, and greens. They’ll establish roots before winter.
Giving your hanging baskets a second act in autumn is rewarding. Whether you choose vibrant flowers, tasty herbs, or simple decor, these ideas help you make the most of your garden investment. Your porch or patio will thank you with a fresh burst of seasonal beauty.