Hanging Baskets Competition

This will be the 5th year for RDN’s Hanging Baskets

Competition, and we are pleased to say that

Resolven Community Council is kindly sponsoring it again.

1st Prize-£50

 2nd Prize-£30

 3rd Prize-£20

 

The baskets will be judged on Tuesday the 3rd of July and the judges for the 5th year running, will be from Neath College’s Horticultural Department (seen above)

 WHY NOT HAVE A  GO?

To enter, contact us at  the email address seen below,  with your name, address, phone number and let us know if your baskets are front or back of the house.

am@resolvendistrictnews.co.uk

 OR

 Pop into Marcia’s (Post Office), Costcutters or the Library to sign the entry form

To get you up and going, here are some tips from Mark Cunningham, one of our judges, on how to make the perfect hanging basket.

 “Hanging baskets come in various shapes and sizes.  You have your moss lined ones where you line it with moss yourself.  There are wicker baskets which are made of willow or hazel.  You also have plastic baskets which come in a standard size but with various colours.

Mossed lined baskets

First place your basket.  Place moss at the bottom of the basket and create a bird’s nest half way up the basket.  Place a piece of plastic before putting in compost.  This will help to hold some water for the plants in the basket when they are growing.  Once you have done this you are ready to plant.  First place compost, a little bit of fertiliser and swell gel.  You can then place your trailing plants.  You are going to use 6 plants at this level.  These plants could be any trailer from Lobelia, Surfinia, Trailing Nepeta, etc. Place your first three plants at the position 12, 8 and 4.  Next place the other three at 6, 2 and 11.  This is your first layer done.

Your next layer will be under the top bar of the basket.  So fill up with moss but do not fill the centre.  Once you have done this fill with more compost.  You are now ready to plant your next three these will be planted with more trailers.  Your first three will be planted at 3, 10 and 7and the other three at 9, 1 and 5.

Once you have done this, get the moss and fill just slightly above the bar of the basket. Fill with compost to the line of the bar and have a slight dome in the centre.  Place an upright plant such as upright Geranium or Fuchsia in the centre of the basket.  Next place your next batch of trailers around the edge of the basket where you think there may be a gap.  Then to finish place 4 Bedding plants such as Begonias, Ageratums, Alyssums, etc. around the centre plant. All you have to do then is water it and keep it frost free and watch it grow.  Moss baskets when the plants are actively growing will require a liquid feed once a week will ensure your basket is tip top through the growing season.

Wicker Baskets and Plastic Baskets

 With wicker baskets and plastic baskets it is a matter of piercing the plastic line with small holes a few times for drainage.  Fill half full with compost, place fertiliser and swell gel in.  Then fill to the top and plant with an upright Geranium and trailing plants on the edge and place 4 Bedding plants such as Begonias, Ageratums, Alyssums, etc. around the centre plant.  Wicker baskets when the plants are actively growing will require a liquid feed once a week will ensure your basket is tip top through the growing season.”

Mark Cunningham