I have always enjoyed planting a variety of colorful flowers in hanging baskets (and I've had some beauties!). Watching them as they grow, spread, and finally fill out the entire basket, then trail way over the edge is more than rewarding. PLUS, I get to enjoy standing upright while planting them! That's always a nice change from crawling along on hands and knees, dragging along a tray or two of small potted annuals, my knee pads, a water hose, and my gardening tools. Not that I don't enjoy that type of planting too--I do! But planting in containers seems a lot easier when my knees get creaky and my back starts to feel like it's been run over by a Mac truck!
Now, if you have a potting shed--which I don't--you're among the more blessed gardeners of the world. If you don't, never fear! All you really need to work on while creating and planting moss hanging baskets is a table of some sort. If your best patio table is your only available planting surface, drape it with a sheet of painters' plastic, an old tablecloth, or even an old faded sheet to protect it from the soil, fertilizer, and moss. Preparing and planting moss wire baskets can be a muddy adventure, no matter how carefully you start out. An old wooden picnic table will serve well too. Or, drag out your card table, set it up in a nice shady spot--perhaps under your favorite shade tree--and away you go!
Yes! I'm in the mood to begin thinking about creating my moss baskets. This year, I'm going to plant flowers in them to attract both hummingbirds and butterflies to my deck and patio all summer. Where I live (Washington State USDA Zone 6) it's still much too early to think of planting anything outdoors. But, it isn't too early to start planning. Perusing your favorite garden center for the few items you'll need to create colorful, fragrant, eye-catching moss baskets can be a wonderful winter gardening activity. Better yet, it just may keep you from suffering from the nasty "winter doldrums."
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