Keep Your Pots & Hanging Baskets Looking Fresh All Season
We’ve all been there: you kick off the season with gorgeous, full pots and hanging baskets—lush, blooming, picture-perfect. But by mid-summer? They’re looking a little… meh. Don’t worry! With a few simple tips and the right products, you can keep those containers looking just as fresh in August as they did in May.
Here’s how to keep the bloom show going strong all season long:
The Power of Fertilizer
Your plants are hungry—and water alone won’t cut it. Think of fertilizer as their multivitamin. Container plants use up nutrients quickly, especially when they’re blooming like crazy. Without regular feeding, your plants will stall out, slow down, and stop blooming.
Two of our favorites here at the garden center:
Jack’s Bloom Booster (10-30-20)
This is a high-phosphorus fertilizer that encourages tons of blooms and healthy root development. Use it every 1–2 weeks for a quick boost of color and growth, especially during peak summer when your plants need a little extra love.
Proven Winners Water Soluble Fertilizer
Formulated specifically for flowering annuals, this one gives your containers a steady dose of all the good stuff they need to keep producing blooms nonstop. It’s gentle enough for regular feeding and keeps your plants looking like new.
Pro tip: Water your plants first before feeding if the soil is dry. This helps avoid fertilizer burn and makes sure nutrients get absorbed properly.
Why Deadheading Matters
Deadheading might sound like a metal band, but it’s actually one of the best things you can do for your containers.
Removing spent blooms encourages new ones to grow.
When you leave dead flowers on the plant, it thinks its job is done—it’s time to make seeds. But when you snip those off, the plant shifts energy back into making more flowers instead of wrapping things up for the season.
A few quick tips:
Use snips or pinch with your fingers just above a set of healthy leaves.
Some modern varieties (like many Proven Winners) are “self-cleaning,” but even they benefit from a little tidy-up now and then.
While you’re at it, remove yellowing leaves and straggly stems to keep the whole container or basket looking full and healthy.
Don’t Forget the Water!
Ok, we know this one’s obvious—but consistent watering is key to keeping baskets and pots thriving. In hot weather, containers may need water daily (or even twice a day for small baskets). A moisture meter or simply poking your finger an inch into the soil can help you tell if it’s time to water.
Bonus tip: Water deeply until it runs out the bottom to ensure roots are getting the moisture they need. Shallow sips = shallow roots!
The Formula for Success
Here’s the easy container care formula we swear by:
Water regularly + Fertilize weekly + Deadhead as needed = Happy, blooming plants all summer long!
Come See Us!
Need help choosing the right fertilizer, want tips for reviving a tired basket, or just need some new plant to freshen up your porch pots? Swing by the garden center—our team is always happy to help you troubleshoot or stock up on supplies. We’ve got Jack’s, Proven Winners, tools, watering cans, and all the good stuff to keep your containers thriving.
Let’s keep those pots and baskets poppin’ all season long!