Planted Containers

After the last couple of years, we are all starting to spend more time at home.  We are turning our patios and back yards into a safe, comfortable oasis, where we can entertain and share meals.

One of the easiest ways to turn a drab area into something special and functional is with planted containers.  Growing plants in garden containers can be rewarding as well as decorative and functional.
It is worth taking a bit of planning and designing in advance to assure your planted containers will be a success.  If you neglect this, your containers will show suffering and eventually distress.

So, what to do?  Start by deciding where you want containers, how big the pottery should be, and what type of garden pots you want to purchase.  There are so many different things to consider.  Do you need to move the potted plants because of shade/sun issues?  If so maybe you should consider Poly Resin.  These are durable and LIGHTWEIGHT.  32 shades of colors to choose from mean they will match any color décor you already have.

Maybe you want something indestructible and hefty in the garden or patio planters.  How about our American Made Cement Planter.  Custom made to order, with a choice of colors, we ship these across the US.  Since these pots are poured into molds you can get them in huge sizes that can hold trees and more.

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f you aren’t aware of Sandstone garden pottery, you need to check them out.  They are silky smooth looking, super durable, and have a choice of colors also.  We even offer an exclusive line of Frank Lloyd Wright Sandstone Pottery that is stunning.  When you are looking for long-lasting & stunningly unique then consider this line. 

Lastly, for over 20 years we have imported Italian Terracotta clay, Bright glazed pottery, and Mexican Talavera.  All are best sellers.  They won’t hold up to freezing temps but a green thumb gardener would not plant in anything but terracotta.  This material breathes and is super healthy in a natural sense for all your planting materials.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at 800-420-1808

Entrance & Step Garden Planter Ideas!

The entrance to your home tells the world a lot more about you than you think.

Virtually all entrances will benefit from potted garden planters.  It’s a decorating delight and an easy way to soften harsh lines.  You can add color, fragrance, and beauty to your front entrance by placing colorful planters around overflowing with grasses, succulents, flowers, shrubs, or palms.  So many choices.

The choice of a container will depend on the size of the area around the entrance and the design you are looking for.  Do you want the pottery to be brightly colored and filled with small flowers so the attention is on the planters? How about a large terracotta pot overflowing with green ivy and a palm shooting out the top opening of the pottery.  You will notice the plants and not the container on that type of style & design.

Are you going for a contemporary look with planters that have smooth lines, mono colors, and clean lines, or a more formal entrance design with a garden urn or towering vase?

Maybe you don’t have a lot of space but you do have steps leading up to your front porch.  You can place two larger garden containers framing each side of the front door.  If you have only the steps to work with, try placing smaller pots on the different levels of steps, up next to the railing so that they won’t be obstructive and cause issues.

When it comes to the planting materials for any of the entrance pots suggested above, just look at how much sun or shade they will get.  Are they under a porch awning or exposed to direct sunlight all day.  Once you select the perfect planters, filling them will not be an issue but a super fun adventure.

Lastly, whatever style, size, or planting materials you choose, please, please, please keep them cleaned up, watered, fertilized, and well maintained.  It won’t matter how much you spend on a garden planter if they are ignored and not taken care of.

How to create classic potted topiary

Materials:

4 large terracotta pots
Bark Chips
Pottery Mix
Slow-Release Plant Food Fertilizer

4 – box trees in different topiary shapes, real or faux

Most topiary from a garden center or nursery will come in a plastic container.  We think that isn’t very decorative or nice looking so we recommend our Italian Terracotta Standard or European Style Pottery.  If you look on our website you will see both styles, come in many sizes and are shipped directly to us from the Italian factory.  This is not a cheap, easily damaged terracotta clay.  Each of these pots is fired in a gas kiln making the color even, sun-backed, and stunning.

The clean lines of the topiary are matched by the simplicity of the terracotta pots.  Since the eye is drawn to the outlines of the box plants, decorated or colorful pots would be a distraction.

Fill the bottom of the planter with bark chips.  This keeps the potting mix from coming out and the water able to run off.  You want to keep the drain hole free and clear for good drainage but not totally open so the soil runs out.

Remove the tree from the nursery pot and place it in the terracotta container surrounding it with potting mix.  Push down the side so there are no large air pockets.  Scatter the fertilizer over the top and then finish off with more bark chips.  Water well and position in sun or partial shade.

***Plant anytime of year!

Alexander the Great popularized the medicinal properties of aloe when he heard how the sap from it’s leaves could help heal battle wounds.

“Aloe” creates a protective barrier on the skin that keeps it moist and promotes healing.  It also stimulates the Langerhans cells, which can reduce inflammation.

Now is a good time to think about growing your own indoor potted aloe plant.  It’s so easy, they are just beautiful and a very healthy plant to have around the house.

Select a small size clay flowerpot and saucer.  Make sure you place them in a sunny location or window.  The potted aloe plant loves indirect sunlight but too much direct sunlight can brown it’s leaves.  It’s best to rotate the pot once or twice a week so that all sides receive equal light.  Don’t overwater but keep the moisture moist.

To use for burns or cuts:  Slit open a stalk, squeeze out some gel like substance and dab on the skin.  Keep the remaining stalk in the refrigerator for up to 60 days.

Read More: How to grow a pineapple bush.

Keeping Potted Herbs Happy

As the world becomes more health-conscious, people are looking to become more pro-active when it comes to cooking at home and growing their own potted herbs.  By using fresh grown herbs in your food preparation you will use less oil, fat, butter and cream.

Potted grown herbs have a powerful taste and delicious smells that add so much to food.  Don’t forget you can use any home-grown potted herbs in all kinds of things from soap to candle making.  Fresh or dried they are simply wonderful and if you haven’t tried to grow your own you are wasting your money.  Grocery store herbs are very expensive and unnecessary.

Get some of our small terracotta clay flowerpots and saucers.  Decide on the size dependent on where you will grow them.  A kitchen window, a center island, back porch or patio area are all good places if you have easy access to them.  Clay flowerpots are good because terracotta is considered low fired and breathable which is super healthy for your herbs root systems.  Just make sure you have easy access or we all know what will happen.  You won’t use them!!!

Treat your fresh herb just like fresh flowers.  When you trim your potted plants, place them in a glass of water and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.  Try drying some for adding to soups and casseroles by placing them on a paper towel and microwave for 30 sec intervals.  Turn as needed till brittle.