I use clay pots often for my outdoor potted plants because they are attractive and inexpensive. They come in various sizes and shapes. However, sometimes they chip, crack, or break.For years, I have been using the chips to cover the drainage holes in the bottom of pots. When I run out of chips, I break the broken pots into smaller pieces. At that rate, it will take a long while to use up the chips. So, for a long while the broken pots sit in the clay pot graveyard.
However, I recently toured a garden that used these broken pots in a unique way. The broken pot is placed slightly in the ground or under mulch with the pot opening facing a leafy plant. This gives the impression that a whole pot is part way in the ground and has been there for quite a while. I decided to try the same in my garden.
Sometimes I start with a small leftover piece...
And then place it below the mulch.
This green pot broke in half, and I used one half here...
...and the other half here.
This pot piece had a large chip out of the side...
Sometimes the rim breaks off the top of the pot...
Other pot pieces...
The benefits of using broken pots and pieces in this way are that I have some additional decorative features in my garden, the pots are reused, and the pots add a bit more shade in the garden beds.
I am linking up with Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest.
©Michelle A. Potter
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ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to use old broken clay pots. I particularly liked the broken green pot and plant combination near the stone wall.
ReplyDeleteVery cool idea! I'll borrow it someday.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have been using broken pieces of pots to cover drainage holes, and I've used a couple of pots broken in half as toad houses (well, I hope they'll be toad houses - no toads have appeared yet). Now I can't wait to go out and try this new idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is so clever, and certainly adds a decorative accent to your garden!
ReplyDeleteThis is an extremely interesting idea! I like the decorative angles you've placed them at.
ReplyDeleteSky
That's a very good idea, and you did it very well. Next time all of us in the blogosphere will have the same garden styles, haha! 5 points are not enough for this.
ReplyDeleteA couple of things to consider: 1) Don't leave those broken pots out in the garden over the winter too many times. You'll eventually end up with a pile of tiny shards due to freezing (if that's an issue where you garden).
ReplyDelete2) For the pots with clean breaks, especially if they're expensive, you can epoxy or glue the pot back together. Two-part epoxy is strong but messy to work with, but a polyurethane glue (like Gorilla glue) should work too. The pot won't look perfect, but at least it will be useful. :-)
What a good idea, especially if you really like the pot or it was a special gift.
ReplyDeleteThat is a ingenious idea. Thanks. May I try your idea in my garden?
ReplyDeleteGreat dirt cheap idea. :) I love it!
ReplyDeleteClever use for broken pots - are you clumsy or was the weather to blame
ReplyDeleteCute! I always seem to break those pots, and now I know what to do with them!
ReplyDeleteI've done something similar with my broken pots! I stick mine on their side in the garden and use them as toad houses or little critter shelters. But I usually use fiberglass pots since they bounce instead of break.
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever idea! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! It gives such a "country" touch here and there. And they can shelter tiny plants, as I saw in a couple of your photographs, providing just enough protection from sun, wind, or a downpour to give a tiny plant a fighting chance.
ReplyDeleteI have used broken pots before but never to the extend you do. Thanks for all the ideas
ReplyDeleteA very creative use for some old favorite pots. What a fun way to give them new life!
ReplyDeleteI do the same too. I just can't bring myself to throw the broken pieces away. Good thing you share. I have never thought about sharing this. Too engrossed with the critters... :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - thanks! I recently broke a pot that was my grandmother's and haven't been able to bring myself to discard it. Now I know exactly what I will do.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - thanks! I recently broke a pot that was my grandmother's and haven't been able to bring myself to discard it. Now I know exactly what I will do.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to continue to get some use out of these pots. I also liked others ideas of using the pieces for toad homes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea! I too have a pile of broken pots that looks just like the one in your second pic. I have been inspired now to use the half pots in the garden - thank you.
ReplyDeletesuch an incredibly creative idea...love it...
ReplyDelete@greggo I am glad you like it, Greggo. I liked it so much I had to share it.
ReplyDelete@Bernie That is also one of my favorites, Bernie. Most of my clay pots are unglazed, and I am glad I have a glazed one in the garden that offers a different look.
ReplyDelete@Adele Stevens Thanks, Adele. I hope it turns out very nicely for you.
ReplyDelete@Christine @ the Gardening Blog Thanks, Christine. It was one of those good ones I had to share.
ReplyDelete@Ginny I like the idea of using them as toad houses as well. ...gotta take care of the little 'bug catchers.'
ReplyDelete@Rose Thanks, Rose. I, too, like the how it enhances the garden.
ReplyDelete@thegardenilivein Hello Sky. I like how they make the garden seem as if it has been there for many years.
ReplyDelete@Andrea Haha! That would be funny, but I suspect that each individual will have their unique way of adding these to the garden. Thank you very much for your support!
ReplyDelete@Alan @ It's not work, It's gardening! It's funny...sometimes they freeze and break up and sometimes they don't. However, I will most likely pick them up later in the year since they have added such a nice touch to the garden.
ReplyDelete@Bridget Thanks, Bridget. I love to find ways to reuse things instead of throwing them away.
ReplyDelete@Lola By all means...you are welcome to try this in your garden. I shared it for that reason. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDelete@Hanni Thanks, Hanni! I'm really loving it as well.
ReplyDelete@elaine rickett Thanks, Elaine. Well, I have broken one here and there, but mostly I use some of them throughout the season. They sometimes will last many seasons before they break. I have had several for many years sitting in the 'clay pot graveyard.' And I am so glad I found a use for them.
ReplyDelete@HolleyGarden Thanks, Holley. I wish they were more durable because I like the way the look...natural in the garden. However, this works as a way to reuse them.
ReplyDelete@Casa Mariposa I am hoping that the toads will use these as well.
ReplyDelete@Karin / Southern Meadows Thanks, Karin. I am so glad I went on that garden tour.
ReplyDelete@Cathy and Steve They do offer a nice shelter for small or young plants. Perhaps I could also use them in the vegetable garden as night cloches...hm-m-mmm...
ReplyDelete@Rusty in Miami Thanks, Rusty. I am glad the post was helpful.
ReplyDelete@Curbstone Valley Farm Thanks. I am hoping to be able to reuse them over and over again for years and years.
ReplyDelete@One I tend to get engrossed with the critters as well. I am glad I went on that garden tour...
ReplyDelete@alison@thisbloominglife I am glad you found a way to reuse your grandmother's pot, Alison. I know how hard it is to discard some of those special things.
ReplyDelete@Marguerite Isn't it nice that there are some alternatives to throwing them away? I like that.
ReplyDelete@hurtlingtowards60 I am so glad you like the idea. I know it isn't for everyone, but even using them as toad houses seems like a great idea, too.
ReplyDelete@Donna Thanks, Donna. I am so glad you enjoyed the post.
ReplyDeleteI bet the pots on their sides make great homes for toads, which need all the help they can get.
ReplyDeleteWe did something similar in our school garden- decorated them and called them "toad abode" as I see some others have done too. I like the look of the tipped over pot!
ReplyDelete@Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade Gardens I bet they do as well. Sometime soon I will have to take a walk-through and peek under the pots to see if I can get a glimpse of our little toad friends.
ReplyDelete@JGH That sounds like such a nice project...especially for the kids...sounds so pretty, too.
ReplyDeleteSo COOL! Finally a realistic idea for my crockery graveyard. I was thinking mosaics, but then I found out what a production they were...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this great idea. Love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat use for broken pots! I love the idea!
ReplyDelete@Lazy Composter I agree...mosaics are a chore. I am glad you like this idea.
ReplyDelete@joene You're welcome, Joene. I am glad you like it.
ReplyDelete@Peggy Thanks, Peggy. I liked it so much I had to share it.
ReplyDeleteHave just come across your great blog and was reading about your clay pots.
ReplyDeleteI call mine my spilling pots:)
And for yrs now I have more but one as layen on its side filled with Muscari.
You can see it on my latest blog.
Have just come across your great blog and was reading about your clay pots.
ReplyDeleteI call mine my spilling pots:)
And for yrs now I have more but one as layen on its side filled with Muscari.
You can see it on my latest blog.
This is a wonderful blogpost. I wanted to let you know that I am going to feature your post (with a link back) in my Re: post tomorrow. Re: is my (sort of) weekly blogpost on earth-friendly tips. And, I'm going to try this with some of my broken pots this season. Thanks for the fabulous idea!
ReplyDelete