Missing the colour and vividness of your garden in summer? Dreading the coming lack of winter growth?

Well now is the time to guarantee colour around your home, in the autumn and winter months, by planting hanging baskets.

"Winter baskets and displays comprise an attractive mixture of plants which can give long lasting pleasure during the cold moths," says Awapuni Nurseries director, Henri Ham.

"They only need watering occasionally, more often during sunny spells than when the weather is very dull and cold, and will look great from the day they are planted."

Henri says the first thing to remember when planting winter baskets is to do it as early as possible.

"Plants will not grow much in winter which means they won't initiate flower buds so planting needs to be done while the plants are still able to flower."

The types of flowers you plant will depend on where the basket is to be hanged. For example Awapuni's Pop'n'Grow range has several varieties that are perfect for hanging in a shady position. These include pansies, pollyanthus, lobelia, primula and mimulus.

For hanging in a sunny spot Henri recommends antirrhinum dwarf, lobelia, alyssum, pansies, pollyanthus, viscaria, nemesia and mixed herbs.

Pop'n'Grow is a revolutionary new seedling range that is simple to plant and quite literally guaranteed to grow. The range includes over 120 different perennials, herbs, flowers and vegetables, and special kids' fun pack products and is available from supermarkets, The Warehouse, Kmart and Bunnings stores.

Their unique nursery process, and biodegradable packaging means the plants can be unwrapped, separated and prepared for the soil without disturbing or breaking the roots.

However, before you can brighten up your garden and home with vibrant coloured pansies and alyssums, you need to prepare your baskets.

Henri suggests purchasing a wire basket and placing a plastic saucer at the bottom.

"Line the bottom and halfway up the sides of the inside of the basket with spagnum moss.

"Then half fill the basket with high quality potting mix."

Once the basket is prepared you can begin planting.

"Cascading plants such as Lobelia and Alyssum look wonderful when planted around the sides of the basket," Henri says.

"When you have planted these fill the basket with more potting mix. Now is the time to plant your other plants such as pansies, polyanthus and any mixed herbs in the inside space of the basket.

"Remember plants grow more slowly in winter so place plants closer together, within your basket, than you would in summer or buy larger ones."

Depending on the type of basket you plant, shady or sunny, your basket is now ready to be hung in your chosen position.

Henri recommends checking the soil moisture before you water as it is easy to over water hanging baskets during the winter months.

He also advises against watering the leaves as this will cause powdery mildew to grow.

"Remove spent flowers if your plants stop flowering and check for any pests such as aphids.

"If you do find aphids an application of neem oil (Neem 900ec) can really help. The oil smothers the adult insects while the active ingredient in the neem disrupts the juvenile's growth and reproduction."

In addition to checking the soil moisture and for pests Henri recommends regularly feeding the baskets with liquid fertilisers.

"And lastly, enjoy your baskets.

"As long as the plant has nutrition and light, extra care and regular watering the baskets will give lots of pleasure."