Hanging baskets are often filled with flowers to serve as a decoration around our home, may it be indoors or outdoors. However, if taking care of blossoms is not for you, you must wonder what you can put in the hanging baskets to repurpose them. We have researched that, and these are the answers we found.
You can put various things in your hanging basket aside from flowers, such as crops, kitchen wares, toiletries, candles, lights, or even food for you or your pets! Doing so will also make the hanging basket serve another purpose in your home.
As you continue reading, you will learn more specific details about what we have mentioned and how long these hanging baskets last. How can you style them, and where should you place them? Are there other alternatives that you can use as a hanging basket? We will answer all of these in the following section.
Things That You Can Put In Hanging Baskets Besides Flowers
The good news is that there is a limitless list of things that you can put inside hanging baskets. In this article, we will talk about some popular choices. These are all relatively easy to do and will not require you much work or follow complicated instructions.
Fruits And Vegetables
You may know this method as vertical gardening, where you do not follow the typical structure of growing crops in the ground. A hanging basket is a perfect example of it.
To give you an idea of what you can plant and grow, below is the list of the edible produce that you can cultivate in your hanging basket.
Vegetables That You Can Grow In A Hanging Basket
- Eggplant
- Sweet Potato
- Beans
- Lettuce
- Leaf Mustard
- Asian Greens - Mizuna, Mibuna, Pak Choi, etc.
- Spinach
- Chard
- Radish
- Spring onions
- Herbs - Thyme, Oregano, Marjoram, Sage, Mint, Basil, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Chives, Parsley
Fruits That You Can Grow In A Hanging Basket
- Strawberry - Tristar, Tribute, Quinalt, Ogallala, Mara des Bois, Evie, Albion, Alpine strawberries
- Chili peppers (Apache, Basket of Fire, Fuego, Pyramid, Razzamatazz, etc.),
- Sweet peppers (Tangerine Dream, Redskin, Sweet Sunshine)
- Tomato - Tumbling Tom, Red Robbin, Roma, Gold Pearl, Bonsai Micro Dwarf, Celebrity, Mirco Tom, Whippersnapper, Baxter's Early Bush Cherry Tomato, Aztec Micro Dwarf)
- Tomatillo
- Cape Gooseberry
- Cucumber
- Cucamelon
- Zucchini
- Peas
- Blueberry
- Raspberry
- Blackberry
- Citrus
Fresh Ingredients
If planting is not for you, you can store dry ingredients or herbs and spices like garlic, onion, and ginger in the hanging basket instead. Look for a spot where you can hang the basket in your kitchen to reach and access it easily whenever needed.
Toiletries
If you want extra storage in your bathroom, bringing the hanging basket there is a good idea. You can store towels, tissues, or other toiletries that can fit into the size of the basket.
Bird Bath Or Bird Food
Filling in the hanging basket with a bowl and clean water might be the best option if you care about the birds. It can serve as a birth bath for them. If you do not want to fill in the water constantly, maybe a bird feeder will do instead.
Tools Or Materials
If you are considering where to collect the screws, nails, or other tools, you should opt for a hanging basket in your garage or workspace. Doing so will avoid taking up space on the ground. It will also allow you to adjust its height so that pets or kids cannot reach them.
Candles
Putting candles in your hanging basket can elevate the look of the space. The floating structure can make them look like a chandelier. However, be cautious when burning candles, as they may cause a fire.
Seasonal Decoration
Another creative idea you can adapt is using a hanging basket as a seasonal decoration. You can decorate the basket according to the occasion, such as Halloween or Christmas, and then put the candies or desserts in it.
Light
Did you know that you can gather fairy lights in a hanging basket so it can create a chandelier or disco effect in a room? To do this, you can attach two hanging baskets to create a globe. Fill the space with fairy lights and cover the frame with them also.
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How To Grow Fruits And Vegetables In A Hanging Basket
You will need these materials to grow fruits or vegetables in a hanging basket.
- Hanging basket
- Hanging basket chain
- Plastic sack
- Scissor
- Screw
- Screwdriver
Procedure For Growing Fruits And Vegetables On Hangin Basket
First, you will need to gather the materials in your workplace and determine the plant you will use. Then decide where you will attach the hanging basket chain according to the amount of sun the crops need.
Attach the hanging basket chain to a post or surface using a screw and a screwdriver. Make sure it is connected strongly and can support the weight of the hanging basket and the soil and crops inside it.
Since the hanging basket does not have a flat bottom, put it onto a bucket to keep it in place. Cut the plastic sack according to the depth and diameter of the hanging basket. Pierce around the side of the sack with a knife or a scissor to create holes. Do not make holes in the bottom part.
Next, mix the soil and fertilizer in a separate container. Fill half of the hanging basket with the potting soil mix. If you will use a seed, scatter it on the soil. However, if you use a plant already growing in a pot, remove it from there and loosen the tangled roots.
After that, submerge the plant in the hanging basket and cover it with more soil mixture until it is a couple of centimeters away from being full. Hang the basket on the chain you installed earlier and water it according to the amount of liquid the plant needs.
Below is a video illustrating how you can plant and grow fruits and vegetables in a hanging basket.
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How Long Do Hanging Baskets Last?
Hanging baskets do not have a definite life span as their condition lasts depending on some factors. These factors which may elongate or shorten the life span of your hanging basket are:
- What material is the hanging basket made of
- What kind of plant is in the hanging basket
- The hanging basket's location
For instance, terracottas lose their potting quality if you leave them under the full sun for a long period. Meanwhile, perineal plants are estimated to last for 3 to 5 years.
Where Should Hanging Baskets Be Placed?
There is no rule on where you should place a hanging basket. You can put it anywhere around the vicinity of your home. But if you cannot decide, you should consider what is in the hanging basket and the environment it needs. This will let you know where you should place the hanging basket.
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In Summary
You can put various things in hanging baskets aside from flowers. The items you choose depend on what you need and want from your basket. You can repurpose it. You can use it as a floating container for tools and toiletries. You can plant edible crops to make a vertical garden, store herbs and dry ingredients, and hang them in the kitchen.
Placing a candle or fairy lights in them is also good if you want an alternative for chandeliers. While if you want to keep it outdoors, use it as a bird bath or plate for their food. Using it as a candy or dessert bowl and decorating it according to the occasion is another way to fill your hanging basket.