A well-planted hanging baskets can be perfect for providing colour and interest in restricted spaces, balconies or a 'dead' wall. However, they do need a certain amount of time and effort devoted to them to maintain their looks.

Preparing the Basket

1. Place the basket on top of a large pot or bucket.
2. Line the bottom with handfuls of moss, making a thick layer of at least 2.5 cm, finishing about a quarter of the way up the sides.
3. Place a plant pot saucer or a circle of black plastic punctured with holes inside the moss layer.
4. Finally, add a layer of compost to a depth of about 5 cm, firming it level with your hands.

Adding the Trailing Plants

1. Take any trailing plants out of their pots place them on top of the compost around the whole basket, turning it as you work.
2. Add handfuls of compost around the roots and firm in.
3. Then, add compost and moss in layers, working your way up the sides of the basket.
4. Finish the compost about 2.5-5 cm below the rim of the basket.

Adding the Central Plants

1. Give the rim of the basket a moss edge, then plant the central plants, removing excess compost to make planting holes.
2. Firm compost around all the plants when you have finished, making a slight dip in the centre of the basket to assist with watering.

Finishing Off

1. Water the hanging basket thoroughly, leaving it to drain on the bucket.
2. Move the basket to a frost free, well lit place, such as a greenhouse, to grow for 4-6 weeks. It may be hung outside when all risk of frost is over.
3. You may need some help with hanging the basket, as once they are planted up, they tend to be extremely heavy.

After planting, you will need to water your hanging basket regularly, both while it's growing inside and when it is moved outside. This may mean that you choose a permanent hanging site close to a tap for easy access with a hosepipe.