A Rustic Garden Blog

I have two large cast iron garden urns on each side of the driveway at my home.  They have been in place for several years and the paint had started to fade.  Last weekend I finally got around to painting the urns with a new finish. 

My wife Mary and I live in a 1920′s era classic home and we also painted the house last fall.  With the porches and trim being a new coffee bean color, the garden planters look great with the same finish.  Like anything made of iron the cast iron urns will eventually fade and rust, but a fresh coat of paint every three or four years will keep your garden urns looking sharp.

There are several ways to plant your wrought iron widow boxes and garden containers that allow proper drainage for beautiful healthy flowers.  My favorite method is by using sphagnum moss as a liner inside the wrought iron planters.  The sphagnum moss has a very natural look and your flowers will love it too.  Simply soak the moss in water before you line your wire baskets and watch your flowers bloom.

I have always used cocoa liners in the past.  Last year we found this high quality moss and we were thrilled with the difference.  When lining a planter basket with larger openings you can stretch saran wrap around the basket.  Once it is planted you can let it set up over night and then remove.

For another economical option you can use a dark colored burlap fabric found at your local fabric store.  You can just tuck it around the container for a great rustic look.

When you decide to purchase a large garden planter you are making an investment that will add to your landscape for decades.  Setting up the new centerpiece of your yard properly will ensure it remains intact for a lifetime. 

A large garden urn that could weigh 500 lbs or more creates quite a footprint.  It is often best to pour a small square concrete foundation to prevent sinking during the wet seasons.  During this process many homeowners choose to anchor their cast iron urn as well.  By setting a threaded steel rod in the center of the concrete pad you will be able tighten a washer and nut down through the drainage hole.  This will keep your investment in place and sitting level.

It seems that spring has finally arrived and it is time to start planting flowers.  Some flowers that work well in a large garden urn would be wave petunias and dragon wing begonias.  For a contrast of color you can add a few sweet potato vines.  All of these flowers will enjoy lots of sunlight.

When choosing a container for planting there are many options but cast iron urns often work best because they will endure the elements and give an antique look that will fit in with any décor.  Planting flowers can be a family event so have fun with it.

When choosing a new window box planter it is essential that you have all the information in front of you. First off, there are many materials available to choose from: wood, vinyl, PVC, fiberglass, aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper to name a few. Window boxes planters have been around for centuries and they’re an affordable solution to planting and gardening.

With so many new materials on the market it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages to all of your choices. Whether you’re look for affordability, low maintenance, or a distinct look, window box gardening can be a fun hobby that brings lots of joy into your life.