How to Plant in Concrete Urns
Concrete and cement planters are beautiful and enduring additions to a garden. You might set them out in clusters on patios, settle them into flower beds, or arrange them in formal pairs on either side of an entrance. Planting in them takes a bit of forethought and some muscle as you initially move them about, but the result is well worth the extra effort. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cement urns
- Drill (optional)
- Masonry bit (optional)
- Small stones or broken bits of pottery
- Lightweight potting soil
- Plants
- Mulch
- Stakes (optional)
Instructions
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1
Choose concrete or cement planters that have drainage holes. Plants fare better when they have adequate drainage. If planters with drainage holes are not available, drill them yourself with a masonry bit.
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2
Pour 2 to 3 inches of pebbles into the bottom of the planter, regardless of whether it has drainage holes.
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3
Select plants that do well in your climate and that do well in moisture-holding cement containers. Ask nursery personnel if you aren't sure, but you can generally choose among many annuals, roses, shrubs, herbs and even vegetables. The University of West Virginia Extension offers a free list of good container plants.
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Move the planter to different spots until you find the right location. Once it's filled with drainage pebbles, soil and plants, the planter will be heavy and difficult to move.
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5
Fill the bottom inch or two of the planter with small stones or broken pieces of clay pots. Fill with the rest of the planter with lightweight potting soil, allowing enough space for plants. Add more soil later, if need be.
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Check to see that the plants are not root bound in their original containers. If they are, pull or cut the bottom of the root ball off, and tug on the roots until they are loosened. Position the plants in the potting soil.
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Fill in gaps between the plants with lightly tamped soil to within 2 inches of the rim of the cement container. Mulch to just within the rim.
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Prop any plants that need support with stakes. Roses are among those that often need a stake to lean on until they're well established.
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Tips & Warnings
Age your concrete or cement planter. Rub it with moss, then daub it with buttermilk or yogurt. Keep it lightly damp until moss begins to grow on the container.
You can mix plants in the planter as long as their watering needs are similar.
Avoid buying root-bound plants by turning them over and looking at the bottom of their temporary pots. If the roots are sticking out, they're root bound.
Do not knock the planter over. Cement is heavy, but it cracks easily.
