Home Outdoor Decorating 5 Tips for your Outdoor Pots and Containers

5 Tips for your Outdoor Pots and Containers

by Debbie Correale
Outdoor Containers

Once we are past the threat of nighttime frost in the northeast, it is a great time to get all of your containers filled with beautiful plants for your deck or patio. Before you start, review the following information.

5 Tips for preparing your pots:

1. Prepare your pots and plant containers

Depending on the material that they consist of will determine the best way to clean them. The key thing is that you don’t want any residual salts or diseases to stick around. If you are starting, select pots that offer adequate drainage or material that you could easily drill drainage holes. For directions on how to clean your containers, click here.

2. How much fill do you need?

Do you need container fill? Click here for information on the different types of materials that containers need as they require adequate drainage. For tips on filling a huge pot so that it isn’t heavy, watch this instructional video from Martha Stewart.

3. Create your design and color combination

Come up with how you want to group your containers. You will want to vary the height of the pots and the plants.

What color combinations do you want? Pick one to three flower or plant colors that you like and carry that palette throughout one area. Keep in mind that you can mix a container with plants of varying heights and shades of green. Consider the color of the containers themselves when adding plants to them. Some people choose pots that are one color and carry that theme throughout an area.

4. Picking plants

My suggestion is to pick what you like and create a complementary theme that makes you happy! You will want to consider watering requirements; for example, mixing plants that require dry soil shouldn’t go with a plant that needs constant watering. Also, buy enough plants to fill the pot so that you get immediate joy out of it. If it takes all summer to fill in, you won’t be happy with the sparseness of the pot. To do this correctly can be costly. If you plan to fill many containers, research your local growers that offer discounts on purchasing flats of flowers. For ideas, check out my Pinterest board.

5. Add decorative features to your design.

Add visual interest with a decorative garden accessory or waterfall feature. If you have a piece that you like the shape of but not the color of, clean it and apply fresh paint using Rustoleum Primer & Paint that comes in many colors and finishes.

Happy gardening! I am excited for the upcoming summer season and all of the joys of warmth and sunshine! If you need help with a home refresh, schedule your consultation by calling 610-955-8202 or email.

By Debbie Correale, Redesign Right, LLC. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Houzz, LinkedIn. Feature photo owned by Debbie Correale.

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