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Anatomy of a pot |
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Tip 1 - Cover the surface of every garden pot with faux rocks, pebbles or mulch. Not only does it decorate the pot, it also reduces soil splashing and conserves water. Simple wood or bark mulch is fine but try other materials when you want a more decorative look. At Arizona Pottery we offer tumbles glass in many colors, and faux rock in 3 sizes and 2 colors. They are very "Zen" looking and form a wonderful pleasing pattern. |
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Tip 2 - Always use potting mix, never garden soil. Although it's tempting to resue potting mix - it costs money, after all - plants will grow more robustly and have fewer diseases with fresh mix. When you plant, blend in a slow release fertilizer.
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Tip 3 - Keep it light - In larger pots (more than 12" across) you may want  to displace soil and decrease the overall weight. At Arizona Pottery we offer a "Pottery Filler". It is easy to use, 100% recycled plastic and reuseable. Just cut to fit and slip into the bottom of your garden pot. You can also fill the bottom of your planter with a upside down pastic pot, packing peanuts, crushed aluminum cans, or pot shards. They will all do the same trick. In a smaller pot you just need to fill completely with soil for good root growth. |
Tip 4 - Pots must have a drainage hole for excess water to pass through. A saucer to hold the drain water helps revents staining on patios or deck areas. You can place a pot (with a drain hole) inside another pot (without a drain hole) if you don't want to use a saucer. Then the inside pot will drain into the outside pot and a saucer is not needed. |
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By The Pottery Lady
Post Last Updated: 3/14/2011 10:44:59 AM |
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Houseplants tips & tricks |
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 Temperature - Indoor plants don't like drafty areas. They don't behave like outdoor plants and most common types of indoor potted plants are not adaptable to all situations. A new indoor gardener might place the potted plant in a sunny window thinking that the sun will help with growth. However what usually happens it the plant dries up from the rising temperature change and then gets cold at night from sitting on a cold windowsill. The best action to take for a potted plants health is move the plant into a morning sunny window when the sun is less intense. Then move it out of the sun after a couple of hours. Check the plants leaves for signs of burn or if more sun is needed.
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Pottery selection: Select a pot that fits your plants needs and your rooms decorative desire. Make sure the pot is large enough to accomodate root growth but not so large that when watered it saturates and drowns the poor plant. Many garden pots have drain holes which is most healthy for any plants roots system, so buy a saucer to protect the surface you place the potted plant on. This is a time to be creative and match your homes decor. Have fun!
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 Watering & Soil: Go with sterilized garden soil that can be purchased from a garden center or nursery. It is not recommened that you dig up dirt in your yard and use that since it may contain pests or disease. A good rule of thumb when watering potted indoor plants is to keep the soil moist, not dry or wet. Don't drown your plant, make sure the water run off is emptied and check regularly that the soil doesn't dry out.
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Fertilizer: Don't feed the potted houseplant to much because it can burn the plants roots and use a fertilizer made specifically for houseplants. Their nutrient needs are different that garden plants. So do not overfeed but make sure they get someting every couple of weeks.
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| If you watch the temperature, get some natural morning sunlight, feed the soil with nutrients, water when needed, you should have lovely and healthy houseplants that you can be proud of. |
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By The Pottery Lady
Post Last Updated: 1/17/2011 11:57:22 AM |
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Pot Bare Root Trees NOW! |
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| Now is the time to shop for and plant bare-root roses, fruit trees, cane berries and grapes. Soak the roots in a bucket of water before planting. Make sure the pots under eaves are receiving enough water. Even in rainy weather, they may get too dry. If frost is in the forecast, water sensitive palnts the afternoon before. Well-hydrated roots can help stave off frost burn. |
Most fruit trees can be planted in garden pots. The one exception is cherries, since even dwarf types can reach 10 feet in large containers. Of course when choosing containers bigger is better. Start with a pots that's at least 18 inches deep and wide, and has drain holes, then fill it with quality potting mix. This gives the root's lots of room to get a healthy start with. The best material used is terra-cotta because it is meant to breathe and helps keep the root system healthy. However, terracotta is also meant to break down over time. It will absorb the water in the soil and over a few years the chemicals in the water will eat away at the clay, causing it to eventually rot away. Most containers will work as long as they have a drain hole, so look at using colorful ceramic pots, decorative poly resin, metal or concrete. |
 Dwarf trees are great because they remain fairly small and manageable. They are easy to pot and can be placed next to a kitchen door or on a patio area. If your tree gets to large, you can always plant it in your yard. |
Tips: Soak roots in water for at least 4 hrs before planting.
Plants that get full sun, good air circulation, and regular water and organic  fertilizer are least prone to insects and diseases, making pest control easier.
Good sanitation also helps. Harvest fruit as soon as it matures, and keep the ground around the pot clean of leaves and fruit which attracts pests.
If birds are a problem, cover the fruit tree with netting. It helps. |
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By The Pottery Lady
Post Last Updated: 1/13/2011 9:54:12 AM |
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Spring Forward - Get ready for Spring now! |
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By The Pottery Lady
Post Last Updated: 1/12/2011 11:23:29 AM |
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Happy Herbs & Herbs that Heal |
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| The secret to great health may be right in the clay pots you have sitting on your windowsill. Many herbs add not only flavor to food but also offer a slew of health benefits. Lets answer some quick questions on growing herbs. |
 Basil, most mints, bay, rosemary, savory and oregano are some of the easier herbs to grow in pots. Of course unglazed terra-cotta is the best container material to use but other pots work well. The reason is simple: terra-cotta allows moisture and air to pass through. Other materials are usually high fired and are meant to repell moisture. If the pot has a drain hole this helps the water to pass through and just moisten the soil not saturate it.
Herbs also need as much light as possible - at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight is preferred - a day. Use a grow light if necessary during certain times of year when sunlight is hard to come by.
If you start to notice pests like whiteflies, spider mites, or aphids - just use an insecticidal soap spray which is harmless to animals & humans. If your herbs get mealybugs or scale, discard them and start over with new plants.
From a basil plant in a sunny garden window, you can harbest a quarter pound of leaves in one cutting. Indoor herbs tend to reach for the light and become leggy; to force bushier, more attractive growth, pinch them back regularly about one to two inches a the growing tips. Don't hack them back as much as you would a plant outdoors in the ground.
 There are many ways to use potted fresh herbs. Add to salads give great debth of flavor. Use chives in egg & omelettes dishes. Toss fresh mint into ice tea or black tea for a touch of sweetness. Nothing tastes as good as fresh basil on a hot oven pizza. Experiment and have fun!
Did you know that Basil is a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial which is rich in magnesium?
Did you know that Dill oils may help carcinogens?
Did you know that Cilantro not only taste great in salsa but it is a good source of disease fighting phytonutrients?
Herbs are fun to grow, healthy to eat and taste fresh & fantastic. Give them a try. |
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By The Pottery lady
Post Last Updated: 1/11/2011 11:19:46 AM |
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Instant Winter White |
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| Brighten your patio with snowy-hued plants such as camellias, cyclamen, and hydrangeas. Plus, for ways to enhance the look on your patio or table. |
 As glistning snow blankets the landscape in higher elevations - we sit back and admire the beauty. But, in mild winter areas that don't get snow, white blooms or silvery foliage in white containers can easily bring that frosty ambience into your garden.
Simple arrangements are shown; each consisting of just one or two types of plants to create big impact. Use a shallow bowl or small pots to dress an outdoor table. Larger pots are pefect for spacious patios or focal points on the front porch.
Most of the plants shown in these photos are perennials, so you can keep them on your patio until blooms fade or plants outgrow their containers. Then transplant into larger pots or into garden beds or borders. |
Fluffy white azaleas and hydrangeas piled into containers resemble snow balls. Forced into flower for the holidays or after, both plants are sold at nurseries, garden centers and grocery stores, this time of year. |
 Dusty Miller fills these glazed ivory pots. To finish the frosty look, cover the soil around each plant with glacial blue tumbled glass (which we sell). Display the pots in full sun, on entry steps or on a patio table. |
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A easy way to enhance your white plantings is to surround them with decorative items.
Candles - for a soothing glow, place frosted glass votives between small white containers in the center of a table.
Cushions - On covered patios, set white cushions on chairs near pots.
Greenery - Arrange sprigs in milky white vases or pinecones in white bowls and tuck small potted plants amoung them. Set a bundle of birch branches tied with white twine nearby. |
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By Pam Brooks
Post Last Updated: 1/14/2013 4:12:13 PM |
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Wake up your winter garden |
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| Though there is not a bloom in sight, a winter garden offers its own versiion of beauty. Try these recommendations to wake up your winter garden. |
 Plant ornamental grasses. Flower beds look bare, even into spring, when foliage dies back in the winter. To add contrast and vertical structure to your garden, plant grasses in the back of borders. They should stand tall throughout the winter months even when laded with snow. |
| Add life by attracting wildlife. Hang bird feeders in trees, or provide an open water source (warm it with a birdbath heater). We carry a great selection of bird feeders and super fun bird houses. Go to our Garden item section to see the full line. |
| Think texture. The dark branches of redtwig dogwood or ninebark shrubs stand out again snow. Tree bark, such as the torn paper look of birch or coarse burr oak, adds interest, too. |
Include colorful plants. Try holly, winterberry or some crab apple trees that hold their berries into winter ( another draw for wildlife). Bare tree branches look sculptural, plus sunlight passing through them creates beautiful shadows on the snow. Evergreens and shrubs maintain winter appeal, providing a year round privacy and will also attract wildlife. Lastly, tall structures such as fences, arbors and trellises offer architectural interest. Benches, birdbaths or gazing balls add beauty to any winter landscape. |
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By Pam Brooks
Post Last Updated: 1/14/2013 4:11:45 PM |
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Growing 
Meyer Lemon and Calamondin Orange are favorites. The Meyer Lemon is know for its flavorful fruit, and once you've tasted one, groing back to regular table lemons is almost impossible. The Orange, is prized for its attractiveness, small minature size and abundant growth. Of course harvesting them for orange marmalade is a must.
The photo left shows a 
Always start with good potting soil and add moisture beads at the time of planting to ensure that thirsty plants like coleus get wheat they need to look their best. Since this is primarily a foliage 
Listed here are ways to overcome these forces and to even use aspects of our climate and landscape to compensate for winter bleakness. The best way is to capture the light is with evergreen 
a bright colored statue or bench. Sitting amoung the starkness it will really pop and add that extra touch that is so needed this time of year.
Prune judiciously - meaning when trimming back trees and shrubs this time of year use an eye to preventing heavy snow loads on key branches. Make hedges narrow at the top and broad at the base for example
Prepare your garden tools. Tune up your lawn mower and sharpen the blades. Wipe the wooden handles of garden tools with linseed oil and sharpen tool's edges. Replace broken handles or purchase new tools. Take a quick inventory and make a list of new tools you would like to buy and old ones you need to replace.
get your Spring planting started. Walk around the patio, porch and garden areas where you will want to place decorative & oversided 
Prune Shrubs and trees. Remove deat branches from woody plants, Then remove any cross-over branches that complete for sunlight. After several years, ver little pruning is necessary. These shrubs & trees will be on their way to becoming beautiful specimens. However, if a shrub is neglected for several years, it make take 3 to 4 more years to get it back to health. One exception is late winter pruning on spring blooming shrubs. Don't prune anything except dead branches until these plants finish blooming.
well, take soil samples to local nursery to analize it for help or move the plant to better locations and see how you do then.
