IT'S HIGH TIME FOR SUMMER

COLOURFUL HANGING BASKETS CAN BE A FLOATING GARDEN THROUGHOUT THE SEASON

- DIARMUID GAVIN

AS May draws to a close, it feels summer is arriving. Daylight stretches well into the evening, temperatures are on the rise, and the soil is warm - ideal conditions for getting out into the garden.

Now is the perfect time to plant summer bedding in most areas, as the risk of frost is largely behind us. But keep an eye on local forecasts; if night temperatures are expected to drop below 7°C, tender plants may still suffer. In those cases, protect your plants overnight with horticultural fleece, hessian or even a light sheet.

Hanging baskets are a fantastic way to add instant impact and vibrant colour, especially in smaller outdoor spaces like balconies, porches, and patios. With the right plants and a little care, your hanging basket can become a miniature floating garden that blooms all summer long.

For reliable results, stick with tried and tested favourites such as calibrachoa, petunias, pelargoniums, fuchsias, marigolds, verbena and lobelia. These varieties are known for their abundant blooms.