Planters & Pottery for Plants
- Self-watering planters are the most carefree planters on the market. They're termed "self-watering" because once they're set up, you can forget watering them for awhile. Water draws from the reservoir into the soil above it, which irrigates the plants. Buy self-watering planters or make your own from whiskey barrels, pots, plastic bins, milk jugs or soft drink bottles. Nearly any plant imaginable will grow in self-watering planters. Cotton and tobacco are just two exotic examples.
- Rapidly gaining in popularity, raised bed planters are four-cornered, usually 10 to 12 inches high, plastic or wood slats assembled together to form an enclosed, aboveground area. The enclosed ground is then layered with new garden soil. A three-square-foot raised bed can produce approximately 162 pounds of tomatoes, 53 pounds of potatoes or 100-plus green peppers. You can construct your own raised bed with wooden slats, bricks, rocks or cinder blocks. Some gardening centers sell self-watering raised bed planters.
- Hanging planters have been around for years and their appeal keeps growing. Hanging flower planters add unexpected color and interest to areas indoors and out that typically go unnoticed. The latest trend in hanging vegetable planters is the upside down tomato grower. Placed face-down in the planter, the tomato plant is then hung in the sun. Naturally, the plant grows toward the sun so it never needs tying or staking. Since hanging baskets dry out quickly, self-watering hanging baskets for tomatoes and other plants are highly popular.
- Clay pottery is great for retaining moisture during hot, dry spells. Clay pottery is available in a variety of shapes and sizes and looks good whether used inside the house or outdoors. One drawback is that pottery will break if dropped or not handled properly.
- Decorative planters add beauty anywhere they're put. Select indoor pottery that compliments the decor. Consider the location and the material the pottery is made of when placing decorative ceramic, plastic or fiberglass pottery outdoors. The planters will chip and break if mowers and weed-cutting equipment come in contact with them. For easy-care vegetables and flowers, consider inserting self-watering conversion kits into the pots before you fill them with plants.