I have hayrack window boxes that are lined with cocoa fiber mats. Here is what I do.

I cut a piece of plastic garbage bag and place it in the bottom of the liner. I poke some holes in the plastic with a pencil for drainage. Then I fill the container with potting soil. I mix in one of those granulated water retention products (SoilMoist) and then add the plants. I water well. Finally, I add a layer of regular pine bark mulch.

Even with all this, the planters needs to be watered daily during the summer heat. I have access to a hose, but I don't like to drag the hose out just to water a few window boxes, so I just use an old fashioned watering can and a step ladder.

I find that most times, I can use the mats for about 2 years before they need replacing. We have a small Mom&Pop garden shop that carries these liners in stock, so that's where I buy them. If they are out of stock, they will order them for me.

Hope this gives you some ideas for your baskets!

I use a grocery store bag to line mine. I put the bag in and start filling it with potting soil. Once I have all the soil in (I like to have it moist while I am doing this)I trim off the bag so it doesn't show.

Then I run a knife up through the bottom and sides for drainage. The pencil idea sounds better though!!!

I use the potting soil that has the water retaining beads in it so they don't dry out as fast. That is the same stuff that is in diapers.

I still water every day during most of the summer.

Hello from another Minnesotan!

I bought a couple of those a couple years ago. I faught with them the first year and couldn't keep them watered enough. The plants didn't grow very well and always looked puney.

Last year when I took them out, I went over to Crafts Direct and bought a couple beautiful silk hanging geranium plants and put one in each (along with a rock to weight it down.) I got tons of compliments on my hanging plants last year! (I just said "Thank You, They do look lovely, don't they.")

That may not be the solution you are looking for, but it worked for me. I think I'll put lovely hanging geraniums in those baskets again this year, the same ones. ;o)

I've had cocoa lined hangers gor years. I just press the cocoa liner down, fill up with Miracle Grow potting soil, then add tetunias. In summer they need at least once, sometimes twice ,daily watering. At the end of summer I tear out the petunias and use them for compost, start with a new batch is Spring.

Oh Hayjud, that sounds like my kind of gardening. I had actually been thinking of doing the same thing this spring! I have brown thumbs and have wasted so much money on trying to get plants to grow. I think they would pay for themselves - use more than 1 year, no watering, no fertilizer, no potting soil.

I purchased several from Kinsman (a source for the liners) but haven't used them in a few years because it costs a lot to fill them and I just don't have the time for the daily watering. Kinsman also sells things you can put in the baskets to stop/slow the water from running through. They are a great source, and the pictures are inspiration as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kinsman

hayjud I am going to consider your suggestion! I really admire people who can water once or twice a day, but that's not me. My second floor porch area is on the opposite side of the house from the kitchen, so hauling water is tiresome. Plus, it IS a second floor balcony, so I wonder whether those at street level could tell whether they were real or fakes.

I've worked in garden centers and have learned that there are different types of cocoa liners. There are the least expensive, loosely woven ones that allow water to drip right through. You can also get them with a tighter weave that are less porous. And then you can get a style that has plastic liners and cost the most.

I'd line them with plastic and make a few drainage holes...and, yes, water daily in the heat of the summer.