Beyond a shadow of a doubt, balconies with flower pots boost the aesthetic of your home. Placing your planting containers and pots in your outdoor space upgrades your property.
Additionally, railing planters add a whole new charm to your outdoor space. Railing planters boost healthy plant growth since they foster better drainage compared to planting pots. So, how do you hang railing planters?
Step by step process of hanging railing planters
This is how you set up your rail planters;
Step one: Find a suitable location and rail planter
The first thing to do would be to find an ideal location for the rail planter. Typically, your location should be large enough to accommodate the rail planters. Also, the area should receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day.
Remember, most plants thrive under bright direct sunlight. Evaluate your plant requirements before choosing a location for the railing. Once you choose your desired location, measure the width of the top rail where you plan to hang the planter.
Record these measurements and look for a rail planter. Look for a rail planter that complements the size of the rail.
Step two: Assess the rail planter
Once you have the rail planter, evaluate the condition of the rail before you proceed with hanging. Generally, the rail should be strong enough to support the planter. Also, replace it when you notice any signs of rusting.
After making sure your rail is in good condition, apply a metal primer and paint to protect it from rusting. Metal rails are stronger than wood rails. So, it is always advisable to get a metal rail.
Step three: Mount the brackets
The next step is to start mounting the brackets to the planter. Some planters come with attached brackets; so, you may have to skip this step. If your planter is not a rail planter, you need not worry.
You can drill holes and place the brackets on them. You don’t have to spend money buying a rail planter just because you don’t have one. Consider converting your existing planter into a rail planter.
Step four: Hang the planter on the rail
When you finish attaching all the brackets to the rail planter, hang the planter on the rail. The brackets should hook themselves to the underside of the rail.
Occasionally, you may have to attach the hooks directly to the railing using screws.
Doing this can be tedious and time-consuming. Gardening experts advise buying a modern rail planter that can be attached to the rail using brackets.
Step five: Line the planter and proceed with planting
After attaching the rail planter to the rail, use a plastic sheet to liner the planter. The plastic sheet is usually meant to protect the planter from damage. A trash bag will work perfectly fine for this.
Then, pour planting garden soil into the planter and proceed with the planting. Keep monitoring the rail planter. If you notice any loose screws, do not hesitate to fix them immediately.
How do you hang pots on a railing?
At times, you may not have railing planters for your railings. Fortunately, you can use your standard containers, DIY paper pots, plastic pots and growbags on your railings. All you have to do is follow the right steps. Below are the steps involved in hanging pots on a railing.
- Find the perfect spot for you to hang your pots on a railing. Ensure that the location can accommodate the size of the pots. Check the size of the railing and ensure it can accommodate your pots.
- Afterward, install brackets on your pots. But first, drill holes in your pots so that you can attach the brackets. Bracket holes should neither be too big nor small. Needless to say, the size of the holes will depend on the bracket size.
- Then, start attaching the pot to the rail using the bracket. Some rails may require you to use screws to attach the pot. So, use screws to put it in place. Always ensure the rail can accommodate the weight of the pot.
- After attaching your pot to the rail, line it with a plastic sheet. Then, pour in your well prepared potting soil and proceed with planting. You will need to check the pot and the railing from time to time to ensure it’s in good shape. Whenever you notice that the rail is starting to become loose, consider fixing or replacing it right away.
Best planting tips for railing planters
Choose high-quality planters:
The quality of your planter will affect the growth of your plants. It is essential to choose a high-quality planter that offers maximum durability. A planter should be able to support your plants until they mature.
If you have a low-quality planter, you may have to replace it before your plants mature. Transferring your plants before they mature often takes you back to the first planting step.
Use rich soil for planting:
Plants thrive in areas with good quality soil. So, ensure you use quality potting soil for your rail plants and get the correct planting depth. Avoid using soil from outdoor gardens. Instead, purchase potting soil from your nearest garden store. Potting soil works best for plants in containers, pots, and railing planters.
Expose plants to sunlight:
Make sure your planting area receives six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Of course, this depends on the type of plant you are growing. Some plants don’t thrive in direct sunlight. On the other hand, most plants grow well in areas with bright, direct sunlight. Always choose a location that receives sufficient sunlight.
Use strong rails:
Your balcony rails should be strong enough to support your pots and railing planters. When you add soil to the railing planters, they become bulky. If you are not careful, they can break the rails.
Install a robust rail that can hold the planter for a long time. Also, apply antirust products to the rail to prevent it from rusting. If you have a weak or rusted rail, consider replacing it.
Keep track of your rail planters:
You have to keep evaluating the condition of your rail planters from time to time. At times, the planters can loosen up, and, hence, you might need to tighten the screws again. Ensure that the planter is firmly secured on the rail at all times.
Additionally, check the condition of your plants frequently. Keep watering them as needed. Add fertilizer to improve the quality of the potting soil. Also, check the rail and replace it whenever you notice a problem with it.
Why get a rail planter?
Railing planters are increasingly becoming popular among the majority of homeowners. These features are excellent sources of and, as a result, can transform your backyard space into a luxurious haven.
Luckily, installing railing planters is pretty straightforward. All you have to do is follow the right procedure. Additionally, you need to install a strong rail and choose a suitable railing planter. Alternatively, you can convert a normal gardening container or pot into a railing planter. Do this by drilling bracket holes in the planting pot.
Moreover, railing planters enable you to grow healthy plants. Unlike normal planting pots, they facilitate proper drainage, which in turn leads to healthy plants. Before using railing planters, carefully evaluate your requirements.
