GENERAL PLANTING INFORMATION
- If your planters will be used out doors make sure they are well drained. Drill one or more holes in the bottom if the planter is to used out doors. Using an electric drill make one or more holes. Make them as large as possible ( ½” is good). If you want Urban Pot to do this prior to delivery, let us know.
- In order to prevent planters that are exposed to direct sunlight from drying out too quickly it is a good idea to insulate them. Use 1″ – 2″ styrofoam. Cut, score and snap off pieces and fit them into the sides that will be exposed. You can also do this to reduce the amount of earth required in larger planters. If you need advice we can help. For a small added charge we can pre-line your planters.
- To reduce the weight of the planter it is possible to fill the bottom with styrofoam. Add a layer of Geotextile (available at most garden stores), before adding the earth. Please note that this is NOT recommended for the Lunaform concrete planters
- If you want to leave the planters out in the winter and expect severe frost it is important to prevent as much water from entering the planter as possible by covering it up using a sheet of wood or plastic. The cold will not hurt your planter but excessive amounts of water and freezing weather might. Water expands by approximately 10% when it freezes. If you cannot cover your planters make sure they are filled to the top with earth so that water will run off.
- Use topsoil / black earth in large planters instead of water retaining potting soil.
ZINC
Urban Pot’s zinc planters are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. With proper care they will provide years of service.
Exposing galvanized steel containers to the elements will inevitably cause the metal to age and corrode over time, however.
Urban Pot’s BLACK ZINC PLANTERS have been dipped in acid and then hand rubbed to attain their color and finish. Left outdoors they will lighten over time and become marked by acidic rain. The markings will be in the form of lighter, sometimes white, streaks.
Our SILVER PLANTERS have been hand rubbed to create a silver (more like stainless steel) distressed look. They have then been lacquered to retain that look. Left exposed to wet or generally harsh weather conditions the lacquer will turn milky white and the planter will loose its lustre.
We recommend that any zinc planter to be kept outdoors be oiled several times a year using something such as this plant based spray: B-404 available at most hardware store chains. Spray sparingly (making sure you get into the corners) and clean off with kitchen tissue. The look of the silver planters will be unaffected, but the black planters will turn a shade darker and get a slight ’shine’ which will disappear after a few days.
INSTALLATION OF URBAN POT METAL PLANTERS – OUTDOORS:
Whether you intend to plant directly into the planter or use it as a cachepot you should:
- Oil the planter as described above
- Ensure the planter is raised off the ground to facilitate drainage and airflow underneath. If left directly on the ground moisture will trap underneath and the planter will corrode quicker. You can raise the planter up on some old ceramic tiles or similar. Push them underneath so they are not visible. 1/4″ is enough clearance.
INDOORS:
- Metal planters can heat up during the day – specially if they receive direct sunlight. Condensation may form which could stain your floor, carpet. It is therefore important to raise your planter off the floor to create air flow.
- Although they are waterproof we recommend that you line your planter with plastic sheeting if you intend to plant directly into it. It is better to be safe than sorry! Simply punch the plastic into the planter and fill the bottom few inches with styrofoam or rocks, and then add the earth. When you are done cut the remaining plastic with scissors and tuck the plastic out of sight.
FIBRESTONE or GEO FIBREGLASS
The Atelier Fibrestone Planters are made from fibreglass and can be left out during the winter months as long as they are filled to the top with earth. This will have the effect of displacing most of the water / ice. Use normal top-soil in your planters and not high moisture retaining potting soil.
Dark planters can get hot if they receive direct sunlight for many hours during the day. Insulate your planters with 1″ styrofoam cut to size. You can use the less expensive white styrofoam or the more expensive but much easier to handle pink or blue boards available at moste large hardware stores.
CARROUSEL FIBREGLASS
Treat the Carrousel Fibreglass planters as the Fibrestone planters but because the Carrousel planters are semi translucent partially lining them with (white) styrofoam show through. Line the pots with black or white polythene to prevent this from happening.
TERRAZZO
Urban Pot’s terrazzo planters are made with a cement core coated in a plaster like layer containing small pieces of granite and marble. Treat a terrazzo planter as you would terracotta. Bring them in or cover them up during sever winter weather.
To clean terrazzo planters simply wipe with a wet cloth. To restore severely weathered terrazzo pots use sand paper.
CONCRETE
Urban Pot’s Lunaform concrete planters are virtually maintenance free. They will last for generations as long as a few simple steps are followed. Detailed planting, maintenance and winterization information can be found here
Care and Maintenance
GENERAL PLANTING INFORMATION
ZINC
Urban Pot’s zinc planters are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. With proper care they will provide years of service.
Exposing galvanized steel containers to the elements will inevitably cause the metal to age and corrode over time, however.
Urban Pot’s BLACK ZINC PLANTERS have been dipped in acid and then hand rubbed to attain their color and finish. Left outdoors they will lighten over time and become marked by acidic rain. The markings will be in the form of lighter, sometimes white, streaks.
Our SILVER PLANTERS have been hand rubbed to create a silver (more like stainless steel) distressed look. They have then been lacquered to retain that look. Left exposed to wet or generally harsh weather conditions the lacquer will turn milky white and the planter will loose its lustre.
We recommend that any zinc planter to be kept outdoors be oiled several times a year using something such as this plant based spray: B-404 available at most hardware store chains. Spray sparingly (making sure you get into the corners) and clean off with kitchen tissue. The look of the silver planters will be unaffected, but the black planters will turn a shade darker and get a slight ’shine’ which will disappear after a few days.
INSTALLATION OF URBAN POT METAL PLANTERS – OUTDOORS:
Whether you intend to plant directly into the planter or use it as a cachepot you should:
INDOORS:
FIBRESTONE or GEO FIBREGLASS
The Atelier Fibrestone Planters are made from fibreglass and can be left out during the winter months as long as they are filled to the top with earth. This will have the effect of displacing most of the water / ice. Use normal top-soil in your planters and not high moisture retaining potting soil.
Dark planters can get hot if they receive direct sunlight for many hours during the day. Insulate your planters with 1″ styrofoam cut to size. You can use the less expensive white styrofoam or the more expensive but much easier to handle pink or blue boards available at moste large hardware stores.
CARROUSEL FIBREGLASS
Treat the Carrousel Fibreglass planters as the Fibrestone planters but because the Carrousel planters are semi translucent partially lining them with (white) styrofoam show through. Line the pots with black or white polythene to prevent this from happening.
TERRAZZO
Urban Pot’s terrazzo planters are made with a cement core coated in a plaster like layer containing small pieces of granite and marble. Treat a terrazzo planter as you would terracotta. Bring them in or cover them up during sever winter weather.
To clean terrazzo planters simply wipe with a wet cloth. To restore severely weathered terrazzo pots use sand paper.
CONCRETE
Urban Pot’s Lunaform concrete planters are virtually maintenance free. They will last for generations as long as a few simple steps are followed. Detailed planting, maintenance and winterization information can be found here