Winters cold is not the easiest condition for potted succulents, plants, bushes, and trees to stand up to. Most succulents are hard enough to keep healthy under normal weather conditions but winter brings a whole new set of issues.

It at all possible it is a best practice to bring your containers of succulents indoors or at least into a garage or garden shed.  This isn’t a necessity but a helpful step to assure the potted succulents have the best chance of surviving the cold.  If it’s not possible you can take added steps to mulch the potting mix, wrap the whole planter in bubble wrap or burlap or just let them tough out Winter and re-evaluate next Spring.

If you can bring all potted succulents indoors give them one good watering before you do. That way they will be nice a moist and you won’t have to start with the watering process right away. This means you need garden saucers for each planter or you will have to move the pots to the sink to water them.  Like most houseplants, succulents need well, draining flowerpots or garden bowls.

Now check the potting mix in each planter.  If it’s compact and hard it’s best to replace it or at the very least work it to soften it up.  All root systems like a loose potting mix to grow and expand in.  Clean up the planters so that you don’t bring any bugs indoors.  Remove old leaves, twigs and other debris that may be on, in or around the pot.

Lastly, trim the succulent up if necessary.  Any old spent leaves or climbing string of pears can be clipped off and cut shorter.  Since succulents don’t grow fast you don’t need to go overboard here.  The idea is to just give it a manicured look not so much a hair cut and a shave look!  LOL

Place your garden pots in a sunny window, don’t over water, make sure it’s not too warm in the house and your outdoor potted succulents will give you a steady stream of beauty all thru the cold winter months until you move them outside again come Spring.

Arizona Pottery has been in the pottery industry since 2000.  We have seen and continue to see all kinds of trends come and go when it comes to choices of garden planters.  Fiberglass, Poly Resin, High Fired, Low Fired, Concrete, Black Clay, Terracotta the list goes on and on.

Why did we start with red terracotta and it continues to be our best seller?  Because it is timeless.  Terra cotta pots have been around for ages and they tend to come and go in popularity but in this post, we want to discuss some of the pros and cons.

When it comes to cons when using terra cotta flowerpots and garden planters the list is pretty short.
* Dry out quickly.
* Breakdown over time.
* Become heavy once planted.
* Discolor over time
* Plain and boring

So let’s look at a few pros on why they are basically timeless and still popular.

HEALTH
Healthy for a plant’s, roots – Did you know that terra cotta clay breathes?  Yes, it is very healthy for all plants root systems.  Because the clay “breathes” it will also show the chemicals that are in your potting mix or fertilizer.  Every time you water the potted plant, the water soaks into the clay, eventually seeping out, the clay will start to show a calcium build up or white lines and markings.  This is loved and appreciated by many terracotta owners.  So much so that they try to age their planters by applying milk to the outside so that moss will grow and the pot will look aged faster than the natural process.

WEIGHT
Terracotta planters are not known for being the heaviest garden containers around but once they are filled with damp potting mix, they can become quite heavy. This is great if you are planting a tree or shrub and the yard pot is placed in a spot where it will receive some wind.  Lightweight or Fiberglass containers will blow over very easily.  If you need added weight you can always put a brick or rocks in the bottom of the planter before adding the potting mix. Just make sure you have it placed where you want it since you won’t be able to move it easily.

DISCOLORATION
One of the worse and most popular reasons for using terracotta is the aging process that naturally occurs.  Like we stated above green thumb gardeners won’t use anything else and rejoice in the aging process.  It is a sign of beauty and age that can hardly be duplicated.  If you are the type who likes their containers to look brand new then Terracotta is not the planter for you.

PLAIN/BORING
Yes, terracotta is ageless and is seen everywhere.  Maybe you need something different a bit more modern or contemporary.  Terra cotta pottery is considered traditional, timeless and naturalistic, all good things but maybe not your thing.  That is fine.  If you like the look of clay but not clay itself there are resin pots that are textured and come in the terracotta color that will stand up to an explosion.  Unless someone walks up and knocks on the planter they will not know it’s not the real clay of terracotta.

So, these are the best pros and cons that we can think of today.  How about you?  What do you like or not like about Terracotta garden planters and containers.

Now that we are in the middle of Winter how are you unprotected flowerpot perennials doing?  If you haven’t taken any steps to protect them this will be your last chance.  Snow and freezing temps can really dish out a beating on your outdoor potted plants.  Without these added steps they can become damaged and possibly not make it till next Spring.

When looking at your potted rosebushes, flowers, and grasses you need to decide if they need to be cut back so by next spring new growth will appear.  Maybe the planters, want to keep all the dead foliage as a layer of protection from the cold weather, then it’s best to leave it alone. 

We all know how a planter of roses needs to be cut back to ensure next seasons growth.  Whether you decide to cut back or leave as is the perennial garden containers you have they all can use a nice dose of mulch.  Mulch will act as a barrier between the cold and freezing roots.  Lay a blanket of fall leaves, some shredded hay or a layer of pinecones, rocks or nuts in the shell.  Create a blanket for the potting mix and plants roots to sleep in comfortably.

Potted grasses have become very popular over the last few years. They provide a unique almost contemporary look to your homes landscaping and outdoor décor.  They love to be cut back to not only keep them looking their best but to help them conserve their energy during the cold winter months.  Come Spring they will grow again in the colorful vibrant foliage you desire.

Hydrangea planters don’t need to be cut back but if you do so you will be richly rewarded with larger blooms next Spring.  If you choose not to cut them back or just missed the time of year to do so don’t worry.  Come next Spring you will still get smaller flowers but the older branches will grow studier.

Perfect Potted Trees

If you live in an apartment, condo, penthouse or tiny home and the thought of having large potted trees seems impossible then think again!  A tree in a garden pot is a great way to add color, life, and beauty to patio or porch areas where there are no trees around.  Maybe you want a bit of privacy or protection, then trees in flowerpots are the solution.

You may think that a tree is a garden planter needs a lot of space to grow.  Well not necessarily!  Many come in pygmy sizes or can adjust its growth based on the size of pot that you choose to plant it in.  When it comes to selecting a garden container the one thing all trees need is good drainage.  If you find an outdoor pot that doesn’t have a drain hole then one can be drilled.

Garden containers come in so many different varieties that it will be a tough choice to make.  For health reason clay or terracotta is always the best and safest because it breathes and is healthiest for any trees root system.  But if you need a pop of color, try a colorful hand glazed planter.   They are colorful, high shine and large enough to hold a tree.

Other options for tree containers could be Talavera which is ethic and bold bright colors, concrete when you don’t want to have to re-pot in a few years and need durability or if weight is an issue then you must go with Poly Resin. This is a lightweight product that comes in 32 colors and huge sizes that are easy to move and relocate.

Some varieties of trees that pot up well are Dwarf Fig, Olive, Japanese Maple or Bay Trees.  We love dwarf conifers that are trimmed into topiary and stay green all season long without dropping leaves or fruit.  Go to your local nursery or garden center and talk with the staff.  Better yet browse the potted tree section and look at the different varieties and find the one that fits your fancy. Read the tree tag and give it a go if it seems like a good fit.

The main thing to remember is that it IS possible to have potted trees around your home, patio, balcony or yard and it IS easy to do.  Have fun enjoy the process and your planted tree container will give you many years of enjoyment.

Squirrels digging in your flowerpots?

Come on who doesn’t think squirrels are cute?  When you went out of the porch to water your flowerpots you noticed some digging in the potting mix or a few nibbles off the leaves is taking place.  Well, we don’t believe in harming animals when there are perfectly natural ways to keep them away. It just takes a few simple steps for you to achieve results.

Many animals don’t like the scent of different types of herbs & spices.  So, let’s start there.  Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the plants and the scent will keep them away.  Sprinkling ground herbs around living plants are used a lot and will not harm the plants at all.  Paprika or Red Pepper Flakes work also.  Of course, after a bit of time more will need to be added but if it works, then why not!

If you have thought a time or two about potting some herbs try mixing your garden planters with potted flowers and herbs.  Mix Mint in with other plants and the scent will keep squirrels away.  This not only looks beautiful but if you like the smell of mint having a bit in your garden containers will only add to your enjoyment.

If the digging is getting out of hand, try laying a layer of mulch, hay, toys, nuts in the shell, seashells, colored rocks or marbles on the top of the potting mix.  The squirrels won’t want to touch them and dig around them to get to the roots of the plant and will move on to an easier next victim.  This can also be fun and give your flowerpots a finish almost decorative look.