Mastering Gardening in the Wind
Hanging baskets and planted containers add charm and greenery to any outdoor space, but windy conditions can pose unique challenges to keeping them healthy and intact. It can get incredibly windy across the prairies, so it’s important to prepare your garden for windy conditions!
Blustery winds can dry out soil, damage foliage, and even tip over containers. With thoughtful care, however, you can ensure your plants thrive even in breezy environments.
Here are 5 essential tips to protect and nurture your hanging baskets and planted containers in windy spaces.
1. Choose the Right Plants
The first step to successfully maintaining plants in windy areas is selecting species that can tolerate such conditions.
Opt for hardy plants with flexible stems and smaller leaves, as these are less likely to be damaged by gusts.
Examples include succulents, Diamond Frost Euphorbia, Lavender, Lysimachia, Meuhlenbeckia (Creeping Wire Vine), ornamental grasses, Geraniums, Scaevola, Tahitian Bridal Veil, Verbena, and Vinca.
Avoid plants with delicate flowers like Begonias, Calibrachoa, Impatiens, Petunias, or Torenia because of the potential for tearing.
Broad leaved plants like Cannas, large leaved Coleus, Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea), and Lamiastrum are more susceptible to shredding in the wind.
Related: How to Select and Care for Plants in Windy Locations, 15+ Wind-Resistant Annual Plants
2. Secure Hanging Baskets and Containers
Windy conditions can easily topple containers or dislodge hanging baskets.
For hanging baskets, ensure they are securely attached to brackets using sturdy hooks or chains. Consider using heavy-duty mounts if wind is a frequent issue.
For planted containers, opt for heavier pots or add weight to their bases by partially filling them with gravel, sand, or rocks to prevent them from tipping over. Ceramic, stone, or concrete pots are ideal, as they provide stability and reduce the risk of tipping.
If you prefer lighter materials such as plastic or resin, ensure they have a sturdy design with a broad base to prevent tipping over.
Tall containers are easier for the wind to blow over, so shorter options with a lower center of gravity are recommended to minimize the risk of your plantings flipping over during strong winds.
3. Position Strategically
Where you place your baskets and containers makes all the difference.
Position planted containers strategically in your gardening space, whether in a small yard, balcony, patio, or large open yard, placing it out of the direct line of the prevailing winds.
Place hanging baskets and planters in sheltered areas, such as against walls, fences, or under eaves. If possible, use windbreaks, such as trellises or lattices, to shield them from direct gusts.
For larger areas, planting hedges or installing outdoor screens can serve as permanent wind barriers.
4. Water Wisely
Wind can quickly dry out the soil, so regular watering is essential.
Double-check that pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging plant roots.
Excess water can weaken root systems and make plants more vulnerable to wind damage.
Check your containers daily to ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Adding mulch to the surface of the soil can help retain moisture and reduce evaporation caused by the wind.
Related: How to Use Mulch in Planters and Hanging Baskets
5. Prune and Maintain
Regular maintenance keeps your plants resilient.
Trim any damaged or excessively long stems that may sway too much in the wind. Keeping your plants compact and well-shaped reduces the strain on their roots, helping them withstand windy conditions.
Related: How to Keep Hanging Baskets & Flower Containers Thriving all Season, Complete Guide to Creating Show-Stopping Annual Flower Containers, Free Hanging Basket and Container Care Guide
Garden Fearlessly in Windy Conditions
In windy spaces, cultivating vibrant hanging baskets and flourishing planted containers is not just a matter of maintenance—it’s an art of resilience and creativity.
By choosing wind-tolerant plants, securing your containers, and nurturing them with thoughtful care, you can transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
Your outdoor oasis, no matter how breezy, can become a sanctuary of beauty and tranquility. Embrace the wind, and let it inspire your gardening journey!
More to Explore
- Planter Box Design Strategies
- 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Flower Containers
- 6+ Front Door Planter Ideas to Make Your Entrance Shine
- The Secret to Growing Great Strawberries in Planters & Hanging Baskets
- 4+ Ways to Grow Great Fresh Herb Planters
©Sharon Wallish Murphy ©Gardening with Sharon
