Use this simple recipe to create a hardy winter hanging basket that will thrive right through to next spring

It's all too easy to give up on your garden during the winter months, but there are so many ways to keep it alive and thriving. Creating a stunning winter hanging basket is just one of them.

Whilst you may already know how to plant a summer hanging basket like a professional, filling baskets through the colder months is often overlooked or abandoned completely. However, when you choose the right plants and set up your basket properly, autumn and winter hanging baskets can bring that much-needed lushness to an otherwise dormant garden.

Not only can you make some stunning plant arrangements for autumn hanging baskets, but if you choose hardy varieties, these baskets can thrive right up until next spring. It's just a matter of getting it right!

Whether you're looking for plants to add some autumn colour to your garden or need to fill your sad-looking hanging baskets, garden design expert Ish Kamran (@gardening.with.ish on Instagram) has just the thing.

"Today in the garden, I'm going to show you how to make my super hardy hanging basket that will last throughout the winter," says Ish.

"Now, my summer basket was starting to look a little bit ropey, so I've decided to clear that out and make way for my winter hanging baskets. And you can start this from about September; it will last all the way through to around February or March next year. Which is the ideal time to start your next summer basket," he explains.

"And I've got some pretty cool classics here; I'm gonna go with some perennials like my ivy. I'm gonna go for some winter classics like cyclamen and even some heather too, and spice it up with a little bit of annuals as well, with some violas," Ish shows.

Although you don't need to worry about your garden's soil type when making a hanging basket, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure it flourishes.

"When starting a hanging basket, you wanna go for the biggest hanging basket you can get and fill it with a really good multi-purpose compost. And the reason is that hanging baskets dry out so quickly; even in the winter, they're prone to doing it," Ish explains.

"So, you can go with a good multi-purpose compost, but most peat-free is absolutely naff at retaining any moisture, so I like to add just a little bit of moisture retention crystals just to keep that going. And by having a bigger one, that should help it from drying out too quickly too," he adds.

Ish also adds a multipurpose feed to his basket's soil; this will keep it fed throughout the winter so you don't have to do much. Whilst there are many feeds for different uses, multi-purpose is a great all-rounder.

"When my hanging basket is half full, what I like to do is just, within the pot, put your plants in and see if you can come up with a layout. And remember, lean these out slightly sideways, as you never see the top of a hanging basket, so you want to make sure you get that drama spilling out," points out Ish.

Once you've filled your hanging basket right to the top with soil, you can start adding your plants in with the layout you've decided. Ish reminds us to give the roots of the plants a good rub before planting them in the basket, as it encourages them to find the new nutrients in the new soil.

"Once you've hung your hanging basket, make sure you give it a really, really good watering to allow it to absolutely flourish. This should keep it happy all through winter," Ish finishes.

Now you can enjoy life and colour in your garden all year long.