I have a bunch of wicker baskets of various kinds and shapes, some of which I've used to house my inside potted plants. But now that I have a garden, I'd really like to use them outside too. Can I load up a basket with soil and just plant a plant directly in it? Some of the wicker weave is obviously too open for that, but some is so tightly woven that it would hold the soil fine I think. Some of the ones I want to do that to are very shallow, so just setting a pot in there wouldn't look very attractive, whereas planting directly in there would make for a pleasing display. I figure over time the wicker is going to degrade exposed to the weather just sitting outside like that, but none of these baskets are very important to me, so if I get a season's worth of use out of them this way, that's fine with me.
I have a few baskets that I've planted directly into. First thing... spray it with a sealant/protectant like shellac... inside and out. Then you can line it with newspaper which will keep your soil in and still let the water drain. Or you can use plastic... just poke some holes in it. I have a decorative metal waste basket that I turned into a planter. I looked and looked for a pot that would fit into it... nothing. So I just put in 3 layers of plastic grocery bags... poked holes and planted it up. Be sure to let us seem them once you get plants/flowers into them.
You can line the wicker with either a porous landscape fabric or similar or try to find a pot to fit inside. Otherwise the soil may be constantly washing away and before you know it the basket is only 1/2 full. You can fill the baskets directly with soil if you choose, it won't hurt if you know the baskets will eventually be thrown away, it just will conserve the soil better if it is lined.
Thank you, carolyn and cheryl for the information. I hoped you both would respond, you're always so knowledgeable! Thank you. Carolyn, I've searched for the kind of shallow pot that would fit, and so far nothing, which is why I started thinking about planting directly into the basket. Good point about the soil washing away, you're right of course. I had to google "porous landscape fabric" because I had no idea what you were talking about....newbie here. As far as I can tell, it's the same as weed control fabric, yes? Cheryl, newspaper huh? That makes sense, it's porous but presumably strong enough to last a season, and will biodegrade without messing up the soil. What would be the purpose of the shellac? Just to preserve the wicker a little better?
I have a problem with some baskets drying out too fast so I always put a plastic drip tray at the bottom of the basket. (Some people use a disposable baby diaper.) That one inch collects water and helps rehydrate the soil. Otherwise I have to dunk the whole basket to keep the plants happy.
Yes... the shellac might get you an extra season out of it. Totally up to you whether you want to put the added cost and work into it. Jewell... I wish I would have thought about the diaper trick for my baskets. Next time...
Yessss! You were another one I hoped would respond, Jewell! I literally laughed out loud when I read your suggestion about the diaper! My dogs looked at me very strangely. But it makes sense, those diapers are treated with moisture retention material so they don't leak. Good thing I have a grandbaby still in diapers, and another one on the way too, so I won't run out any time soon!
I love the newspaper and diaper idea!! I had a gorgeous basket last summer but made a bad choice when I planted a geranium in it :'( It was too shallow, I couldn't keep it moist enough. I think this year I'll use the newspaper idea and try to start a little creepy crawly ground cover in it. I think it's called baby tears or something like that.
Hi Ronni,..i have used newspaper,..plastic bags,..and moss but now i use Coconut Fiber,..it comes in various hanging basket sizes,..i also use Miracle-Gro Moisture control Gel Crystals,..they retain moisture so when the soil is dry the plant uses the moisture in the crystals,..i use the crystals in all my containers as well. Coconut Fiber. ( photo / image / picture from Philip Nulty's Garden ) Gel Crystals. ( photo / image / picture from Philip Nulty's Garden )
The problem I find with the coco-fiber is that it takes up alot of room (especially in a small or shallow container)... and it still loses too much moisture (to me anyhow). When I did use it, I still lined it with plastic. I've sworn it off... except maybe for decorative purposes.
Thank you so much for all your ideas and input. You have no idea how valuable you all are to me, because I'm so new at this and tend to overthink and second guess everything when I'm not confident in an area. Philip, I actually have used coco fiber on occasion...in fact I planted something just today using coco fiber as a liner. I've done a bit of container gardening and have found it very useful for some things, just not everything. And I almost bought some of those gel crystals when I was at Home Depot today...but I went a bit hog-wild on the other things so I was too close to my bottom line to buy it and try it out. Next time!
Correct, Ronni, weed control fabric is another term, just as long as it is porous and not a solid. I have a ground cover in my greenhouse that doesn't let the water drain through it very well, it just sets there and evaporates or it has to trickle to a seam to drain. I have cut down a plastic pot to fit a container, too. You might need kitchen shears to do it, sometimes the plastic slips the blades if you use regular scissors
