Hanging Fern Basket

Ferns planted in a hanging basket add visual interest to semi-shaded or shaded areas. Planting up a hanging basket is a very easy weekend project, and it’s great fun!  

Materials

• hanging basket
• sphagnum moss
• black plastic
• potting mix for hanging baskets
• ferns
  

What to do

1. Attach sphagnum moss as a lining to the basket or buy a basket which has a sphagnum moss lining. Use a spray atomiser to dampen the liner.
2. Line the inside of the basket with black plastic that has a few holes punched in the bottom.
3. Make some holes through the moss and plastic on the sides of the hanging basket and plant ferns through them. Add potting mix as you go. Repeat this step so that eventually the sides of the basket will be covered with ferns.
4. Plant the top of the basket.
5. Water and hang in a shaded or semi-shaded position (morning sun only). (Tip: add a swivel to the chain so that the basket can be turned to even up the growth.)
6. Hanging baskets don’t retain water as well as other containers, so give frequent drenchings.

Further information

We used a selection of Sonter’s Ferntastic Baby Boomer ferns in 100mm (4") pots; they’re priced at around $6 and are available nationally. 400mm Just Moss Basket and liner costs around $22-$25. Yates Hanging Basket mix costs around $7.50 for a 15 litre bag.

Copyright CTC Productions 2006