How to create a hanging basket garden

The first thing you'll need to do is to pick your baskets – Bunnings has a huge range in store. If you're using a wire option, it should come with a coir weave liner (these are great, as they drain easily). Or you could opt for a plastic version, with self-watering mechanism.

When choosing your basket, remember that size is important – hanging baskets tend to dry out quickly, so the larger the basket, the less you'll need to water it. 300mm or 400mm are good sizes to start with.

Once you've selected your basket, fill with premium quality potting mix – you can pick this up in-store too. If you're using a wire basket, remember to make sure your coir liner is in place first! Use your trowel to fill the soil almost to the top. Leave some space to allow for watering.

We're opting for maximum impact, so we're filling our basket with a selection of bright, cheery annuals, like pansies and alyssum – but the sky's the limit. Head to the garden section at your nearest Bunnings. If you're not feeling inspired, ask one of our experts to help you select your plants – they love helping people plan their gardens.

Gently remove your plants from their pots or punnets, making sure you don't damage the roots. Use several varieties in each basket if you like – lobelia looks particularly great placed around the outside, as it will grow prettily over the side. You could also try tailing plants or ground covers, herbs, strawberries or even vegetables such as the hanging basket tomato.

Once your plants are in place, grab your watering can and give everything a really good water. Now is a good time to add a seaweed solution – follow the directions on the pack. One with an adjustable head is ideal for hanging.

Keep an eye on your plants, and water regularly. A watering wand is a great tool for this. Feed them with liquid fertiliser every few weeks. Following the instructions on the label.