Open Magazine - Index

Open Magazine - magazine - Index

From large sprawling gardens to the smallest of patios,
container gardeners enjoy the bounty that clay pot gardening
provides. The portable and versatile earthen pot has assisted
gardeners for centuries, dating back to the time of Egyptian
Queens and Pharaohs.
Clay pots are excellent for novice gardeners who are prone
to over-watering. Neglectful plant owners, however, will not
appreciate the absorption qualities of clay. Earthen pots, when
exposed to sunlight, dry from the outside in and when completely
dry, can wick moisture away from the soil, leaving the plant to dry.
To get started:
Choose your location. In a shaded area, an unglazed clay
pot may work best. The sight of a weathered and moss-covered
clay pot grouping, nestled around the base of a tree, evokes
images of a beautiful English garden. The moisture absorbed
and retained from the surroundings should be sufficient for
moisture-loving plants. (Water may need to be added; watch
out for over-watering.)
Choose your plants according to your location. Sun-loving
plants do not do well in shade and vice versa. Pick plants that
are appropriate for the spot you have in mind for your clay pot
garden.
Choose your pot according to your plant and location.
All clay pots are not created equal. There are many choices:
glazed, unglazed, white and red, with drainage and without.
Glazed clay pots retain water better than unglazed. If your
plant requires a lot or frequent watering, then a glazed pot
may fit the bill. If your plant is a cactus, a breathable, unglazed
pot may be your best choice. White clay reflects sunlight
while red clay absorbs heat. Plan for the plant that will
be occupying the space and plan for its success.
Use a soil that is appropriate to your plant and
container. Soils that are higher in peat moss will
retain more water while sandy soils will not.
More is better in clay! Think of groupings of
pots and get creative. Decorate your clay pots
with non-toxic paints or stack different height pots
18 Open Magazine Summer 2008
Terra
Cotta
Gotta!
By Cynthia A. Moyer
together to create a tower effect. Decorate clay pots as a fun
activity that the whole family can enjoy. Every person can name
their own pot and plant and sit back and watch them grow.
With a little TLC and a lot of imagination, clay pot container
gardening can turn any novice into a pro. Broken clay pot? Not
a problem. Simply crush the broken pot with a hammer, using
safety goggles, and place the pieces at the bottom of another
pot for drainage. Clay pots are great for recycling.
Clay pots do not winter well as their tendency to retain
moisture can cause them to freeze and break. Remember to
bring clay pots inside in the fall.
Do you live in an apartment and long to pick fresh veggies
from your garden? The versatile and portable clay pot is your
answer. Succulent patio tomatoes, potted chives, and oregano
can be just outside your patio door, ready for picking. Imagine
your own harvest of fresh picked, sliced tomato, with chopped
chives, oregano and a drizzle of organic virgin olive oil and
pepper. Now that’s living within a 100 Mile Diet!
Potted plants in clay should be brought indoors during
the winter months. Just remember not to over or under water
plants during the dry winter months. Many plants require less
attention during the winter months.
Now you’ve got the idea and the location but you are still
not sure where to start? Head to your nearest garden centre
and talk to the experts who work there. They’ll give you lots
of ideas and the help that you are looking for to get started on
your own terra cotta paradise.