I've got a hanging basket that gets drenched whenever we have a downpour like the other night and rain overflows the gutters. A stream of water runs into the basket and right through it. Will that leach out any important elements from the potting soil? Do I need to over-fertilize it? Thanks!
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A river runs through it
Carole - thanks for your excellent suggestions. But any hanging basket or container should be fertilized on a regular basis as leaching of the nutrients is common with all the water needed to keep them moist and alive during summer conditions. You can use just about any type of fertilizer and just follow its label instructions for rates.
Dennis - Johnson County Extension
If a hanging basket or other container is in the path of water overflowing gutters, I'd just move it whenever rain is in the forecast. And hopefully, that won't be too often from here on out! I've never seen rain like this in my life!
Yes, water will leach out the nutrients in the potting soil, and an overabundance will do so even faster. Overfertilizing is not the answer, perhaps more frequent is. A very wet situation not only leaches out nutrients, but oxygen also. Your plants could drown. If the basket is subjected to frequent downpours, I would move it to another location.
Carole
JOCO Extension Master Gardener