How are your hanging baskets looking this August?

If they have started to look a little spindly with fewer flowers, there may be some things you can do to keep them full and beautiful until the first frost and beyond.

How often are you watering? On a hot summer day, a container in full sun may need to be watered more than once.

If you’re not sure if your planters need water, poke your finger down into the soil about one inch to see if it is dry at that depth. It’s time to water if it is.

Be sure to water enough so that it runs out of the drainage holes. If it has really dried out, you may want to immerse the entire basket in a bucket of water to re-soak the soil mix.

Try to water your plants at the coolest time of day so the water doesn’t evaporate as quickly.

Smaller hanging baskets and planters will generally dry out quicker than larger baskets due to the small amount of soil, so be sure to check them more often.

If you plan to be away from home for a few days, it is best to have someone take care of your hanging basket. If that is not an option, take it down from its hook, water it, and place it in the shade while you’re away.

But remember, there is such a thing as too much water. If the soil is too wet or the planter remains in standing water, root rot can occur.

When’s the last time you fertilized? Daily watering can flush nutrients from the soil faster than you might think.

If you use a liquid fertilizer, it should be applied bi-weekly throughout the growing season.

Granular time-release products applied to the soil may last all season, depending on the direction on the label.

Before you fertilize, make sure the soil is already moist, and be sure to read and follow all label directions.

Deadheaded lately? Some of the newer annuals do not require removal of spent flowers, or deadheading, but most annuals will benefit from this practice.

Removal of spent flowers will promote new flowers to form. Some plants, such as verbena, benefit from cutting back in mid-summer, which promotes further branching and flower formation.

As the season progresses, keep an eye on the weather forecast, and if an early frost is predicted, bringing your hanging baskets inside overnight can extend their life span by several weeks.

Seed Farm Fall Plant Sale: Penn State Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Aug. 17 and 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Aug. 18, The Seed Farm, 5854 Vera Cruz Road, Emmaus:

Late Season Bloomers: Penn State Master Gardeners will give a presentation on Late Season Bloomers, 10:30 a.m. - noon. Aug 24, Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem: To register:

https://extension.psu.edu/late-season-bloomers-in-the-pollinator-garden

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613.