This metal container is contemporary and useful.  It can sit outside and only looks better as it ages.  We carry this same design in sandstone if you would prefer that material.  Filling this pot with succulents really accents the look.  This type of a display is perfect in direct sunlight because not only the planter but the plant materials can handle the direct heat.  Using succulents like this makes the container basically worry-free.

Below we tell you what items were used.

Keep the windowbox planters watered.  Try to water each morning for the best results.  The amount of water needed will depend on where the sun hits them, if it's a windy day and what type of plants are being used.

These types of planters are fun to create, easy to maintain and will add an ornamental look to the side of any home or garden area. 

1.  Use a bulb planter and dig to the depth required.  A rule of thumb is to go two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall - just not too shallow, lest the squirrels make off with your bounty.  This rule is the same for wether you plant in the ground or a lovely garden planter that is placed on your patio or front porch.  Consider spacing and pattern, so you will have a lush flower bed come spring.  Place them an inch closer together than the directions say.

2.  Add bonemeal about a tablespoon to each hole as an organic fertilizer.  This step really helps when the bulb starts to grow.

3.  Carefully place a bulb in each hole, with the tip pointing upward - this helps ensure that flowers will grow to about the same height.

4.  Refill the holes with dirt. Add a two or three inch layer of mulch atop the planting area.

1.  Save time and give your garden planters a more natural look.  Skip the fussy bulb planter and just lay them around the top of the pot in a trench.  Make it wide enough for a single line.  Scatter bubls with a bit of space between them.

2.  Sprinkle bonemeal and cover with soil and top with mulch.

3.  Or save the work till spring.  It's the only option in climates that don't have cold winters.  Sort the bulbs in paper bags by variety and stash in a fridge crisper.  Plant immediately after removing from the cooler.

You will need:  18" wide x 8" deep garden bowl in ceramic.  1 qt Hilo Beauty alocasia, 3 - 1 qt Oborozuki sweet flag acorus, 3 - 3" pots of great blue lobelia, 1 - 3" stone to weight down the pump, pebbles to weigh down the plants, a small electric pump from an aquarium supply shop, and small bricks to vary height of plants.

A - Hilo Beauty alocasia

B. Oborozuki sweet flag acorus

C.  Great blue lobelia

2.  Add an inch or so of potting soil in the bottom of the pot.  Place the bulb in the container and add the mix around it becing careful not to damage the roots.  Leave the top third of the bulb exposed.

3.  Moisten the soil and press it down gently to eliminate air pockets and make sure the bulb is sitting correctly and not leaning to one side or the other.  Put the amaryllis in a warm spot with indrect light.  Water lightly until the flower bud and leaves emerge.  Once this happens, move the potted bulb to a cooler area and water regularly.  Keep the soil moist but not soggy.  Keep the potted bulg away from bright light to extend the flowering.

How would you like to duplicate this stunning garden planter?  We can show you how with a few simple tricks we discovered.  Just follow the steps and you will see how easy this is to do.

Use unusual art in the garden area.  Use a step ladder to display and raise pots off the ground and give the garden height and beauty.  Place garden statuary, garden sphere's in bright colors and tuck clay figurines around the planters to add charm.   Make the display big by adding a lot of small items if necessary.

When using a large garden container made of concrete, sandstone or a heavy glazed clay, you want to take some points into consideration before you start.  Look for sun exposure.  Will the plants get direct sunlight or do they need partial shade.  Since these types of pottery containers are heavy you won't be able to move it or even rotate it for that matter, so the location is very important.  Then think oversized?  You are always advise to choose a proportion container but in this case we want you to go for the dramatic!

We have all read the studies that say being outdoors for young and old can be healthy.  You get the added Vitamin D from the sun, and you can reduce stress and anxiety by just getting away from the TV and computers.  And, don’t forget to leave the cell phone on the charger indoors.  This is not the time to be interrupted.
Plan on making this time spent with your grandchildren fun and not a chore that they won't like.  Playing in dirt with pottery & tools is suspose to be fun not laboring.

Teach them about:

Different soil, diseases that can happen, bugs that are beneficial and get them their own kid sized garden tools, gloves, buckets, and planter pots.  Plant herbs, flowers, veggies and fruits.  There are many species that are easy for your particular area and those are best ones to start with.  Ask for advise from the local nursery if unsure.

Gardenias - is one of the most fragrant plants on earth.  It is a tropical shrub that serves well as a summer patio plant, but it needs a cool place to spend winter - indoors.  The best time to grow them is in early summer.  Water lightly during winter when the plants are indoors.  We love this potted plant and the fragrance is heavenly.

A quick list of some good smelling plants to pot are:  Flowering tobacco, Heliptrope, lilac, Sweet Alyssum, petunia, stock and pinks.  All are lovely in color and style and the fragrances are wonderful and potent.

It is also fun to combine fast growing annual flowers in 14" garden pots creating fragrant bouquets.  Put taller plants toward the center of the large pot and place smaller plants surrounding them plus add trailing plants toward the edges to create a delightful look.  Include more plants than you would in similar space in the ground.

In this container combo, a lovely ceramic planter pot showcases interesting plants with variations of color that could never be seen from a distance.  Whether it's the variegation in the tiny leaves of the rupturewort spilling out of the pot, the ultra-fine cut leaves of the scented geranium, or the hint of pink in the pedilanthus, these details are best viewed and appreciated from the comfort of a favorite patio chair.

1.  Variegated rupturewort (Herniaria

2.  Paddle plant (kalanchoe thyrsiflora)

3.  Variegated pedilanthus (pedilanthus tithymalorides)

5.  Red Stemmed pilea (pilea)

This potted display is best in full sun.

The pink is a popular bloodleaf grown mostly for foliage, loves full sun.

Next is the arrow shaped salvia leaves that will open to spires of long purple flowers.   Then comes the blue Brazilian verbena already in flower and shown inside a terracotta clay rectangle planter.  We love this flower.  The climber on the trellis is a showy pink mandevilla vine that flaunts gorgeous trumpet shaped flowers as the vine scales the wall.  The windowbox planter on the window is filled with shade tolerant pink impatiens.  These are so popular and great for garden containers of all sizes.  The dark green climber on the back trellis is a green glossy gardenia leaf that will bloom a white blossom and the smell is heavenly.  Lastly are the planter boxes along the railing that are fillled with the love annuals called petunias in a mix of pinks and purples.

By this time of year, the plants in your garden containers have filled out and their roots have developed fully, maximizing water usage.  Water your pots regularly; daily watering is not unusual.  If your pots appear brittle at all here is a tip on how to repot it.  This is really good for plants with easily breakable stems such as fuchsias or begonias.


Give this a try:

Step 1:  Gently remove the plant from its existing container by knocking on the bottom of the pot and sliding out the plant.  Set it aside.  Partially fill the larger container you are moving the plant into with soil, then place the old pot inside so the rims of the two pots are roughly flush.  Firmly pack soil into the gap between the containers.  You now have a hole.

Step 2:  Gently remove the old pot without disturbing the packed soil.  Set the plant into the newly made hole and water well.

Grow Tomatoes NOW!
Nothing is more local than your own backyard.  Keep a close watch on your vegetable garden now, checking daily to gather the freshest veggies.  Pick tomatoes and peppers early in the morning on the day you plan to eat them.  Select cucumbers, eggplants, okra, squash and zucchini when they are small and tender.  Use sharp clippers or a small knife to harvest.  Now is the time to begin planning and planting your fall veggies.  All veggies can be grown in garden planters.