DIY Flower Containers

Fall is virtually knocking on our doorstep as we speak. So what does this mean for the avid gardener, besides splitting perennials and mulching flower beds? Since it is close to the beginning of the fall season, why not begin by dressing up some cheap terracotta planters? This has to be the cheapest and easiest way to may beautiful planters for any season. This project is very easy and fun and one where you can also allow the children to help as well.

So where do you begin? It's all quite simple and you can get everything you need in one trip, including the fall flowers. Choose a weekend where you can go to your local store such as Wal-Mart or Home Depot. While there, depending on how many flowers you want to plant, choose the appropriate amount of fall flowers for your garden. Next head to the pot and planter section where you can find the cheap terracotta pots in various sizes. Depending on where you live and the store you go to purchase them, the pots can range in price from as little as a dollar to four or five dollars. Once you pick the pots, don't forget to find the matching bottoms. They are very cheap as well and are a must have for catching and collecting any water that drains through the hole in the bottom of the pot.

After finding the appropriate plants and pots, you will next go to the household paint section of the store. There you will be able to find small cans of paint in various colors that are meant for a variety of different materials. Some stores also sell paint samples of interior and exterior paint, but I would suggest finding a simple can of outside all around paint that you would use for chairs, railings, and other items. Again, depending where you shop, the price will vary and can range in price from $3.50 to $5.00 per can. If you are going to use only one color, then one small can will easily cover four or five pots, if not more depending on the sizes. Also, keep in mind that what you are painting is not white, unless you use a white base first, so the paint color will be slightly different than what the can shows. For instance, I purchased one small can of "sage" paint and it actually came out Ohio State Gray. I guess it's a good thing I live in Buckeye country.

After you have chosen the plants, pots, and paint color you may go to the check out unless you need extra brushes or rags. I would suggest using foam paint brushes to apply the paint to the pots, so if you do not have these on hand make sure you grab a few as well. You may want to purchase rags or cloths for easy cleanup of spills or splatters, but I found that using the foam brushes with the paint was fairly clean.

Once you are home I would suggest sitting in the garage with some newspaper down or on your driveway in a chair, along with your new pots and bottoms. Most of the paint you purchase for outdoor projects requires 2-3 coats and a drying time of at least 30 minutes or longer. When I did my planters there was a nice warm breeze and so I found that I was able to paint one coat on one pot, then continue to the other two and go back to the first to do a second coat. In the end I actually did about four coats on each pot, only because the color I chose was so light. I decided to let my pots dry overnight and then transplant my flowers the next morning, however, most paints will give you an idea on drying times such as 3-6 hours for total drying.

So, how little could you actually spend and add some beautiful pots and fall flowers to your landscape? Using my project as an example, I purchased one large and two medium pots with matching bottoms, one large mum and two smaller mums, one small can of paint, and that was all. I already had foam paint brushes and potting soil, so there was no need for me to purchase more. My total bill for three new potted fall plants was around $16.00 plus tax. That's not too bad considering how much you can pay for a painted pot at most locations. Plus, in the springtime you can take your painted pots and re-paint them once again or just add accent colors to them to spruce them up for spring. Then all you will have to worry about is buying your new spring flowers and transplanting them. It's such a fun, easy, and thrifty way to make beautiful potted plants for all seasons.