I love adding layers to the garden. An easy trick to help with height while you’re waiting for shrubs to mature is to put in hanging baskets on shepherd’s hooks. I ordered 10-inch metal baskets with coconut coir liners from amazon.
The hooks came together in a box, unassembled. It was easy to put together.
First, inventory your parts to assure you have everything. There should be two base parts, two pole pieces, one hook, and a packet with 2 connectors, a screw, and an allen wrench.
![shepherd's hook inventory](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/PXL_20220919_185050536-1024x576.jpg)
Next, slide the second set of ground prongs over the base with the stake.
![slide the second set of prongs over the base of the shepherd hook](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shepHookbase-1024x575.jpg)
Find the bag with the connectors, screw and allen wrench.
![shepHook2connectors](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shepHook2connectors-1024x645.jpg)
Use the provided allen wrench to tighten the second set of prongs to prevent them from swiveling.
![](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shepHook3Connector.jpg)
![](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shepHook4Connect.jpg)
![](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shepHook5Screw.jpg)
Step on the base to push the prongs into the earth firmly.
![push the base prongs into the ground](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shepHook6Install-1024x606.jpg)
Here is the dancing ladies orchid I purchased from ebay last month. I separated it into two plants. The coconut coir basket filled with special orchid potting mix was placed in the metal basket.
![dancing ladies Orchid potting Mix in hanging basket](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shepHook7OrchidMix-1024x572.jpg)
The last step is to hang the basket and adjust the coconut coir basket as needed. I didn’t have to water the plant since it’s rainy season here in Florida.
Here is the finished product:
![](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/PXL_20220919_190022923-1-scaled.jpg)
![](http://www.transcendcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/PXL_20220919_190052515-scaled.jpg)