Planters Etc. Blog - Page 3 of 6

5 Money-Saving Industrial Landscape Ideas To Stay Under Budget

May 29, 2017 by Craig Urbine 1 Comment

If you own a business or are in charge of landscaping a particular building, you may have realized just how much landscape companies can charge for design and maintenance. While many larger corporations can easily afford to keep up with their landscaping, smaller businesses have a tough time when it comes to presenting a professional outer appearance while also staying under a tight budget. To help those who don’t have thousands to spend on landscaping each month, we have put together a list of money-saving landscaping ideas.

Work Around Natural Landscapes

Flattening hills, removing large trees, filling ponds or replacing grassy areas with gravel can be quite expensive, which is why it’s typically a good idea to develop a design that incorporates the natural landscape instead of altering it. Nature and pre-existing landscapes are actually your biggest asset when it comes to landscaping, so might as well use them.

Use Stone Pavers & Walls

Another way to save on industrial landscaping is with the incorporation of stone pavers along walkways and stone retainer walls. When shopping for materials, keep in mind that the price of stone pavers can vary depending on the type of stone. Also keep in mind the fact that different types of stone are recommended for different types of environment. However, flagstone is generally a popular pick for both residential and industrial landscaping.

Choose Seasonal Plants

You can also keep landscaping costs down by choosing plants, shrubs or flowers that are in season instead of deciding on just one type and sticking with it. If you’re not sure which seasonal plants to choose, it might help to do a little research online, consult with a professional corporate landscaper or talk with the owner of a nursery.

Invest in Quality Planters

Those who are looking to keep costs down when it comes to commercial landscaping should consider that the quality of pots and plant containers you use can make a world of difference. If you want to get the biggest bang for your buck, it’s best to choose fiberglass planters that are resistant to the elements. They also don’t turn brittle and break apart after just one planting season, so you won’t have to replace them as often. Our fiberglass pots and planters are particularly sturdy and conveniently frost-resistant!

Make Sure You Have a Plan

Of course you’re going to also need a clear plan if you want to save the most amount of money possible. Mistakes are what drive up final design bills and the cost of maintenance. This is why it’s highly suggested you obtain the advice of a professional who has years of experience. They have helped business owners, property managers, and others design a blueprint that takes all crucial factors into account.

Landscaping your commercial property doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If the cost is your biggest concern, you should refer to these tips and ideas when it comes time to revamp your storefront. We have a big selection of outdoor planters to add to your outdoor oasis. Restaurants, salons, medical practices, law firms – whatever your specialty, having beautiful curb appeal is what will bring your customers in the door!

Planting with Pots 101

January 16, 2017 by Craig Urbine Leave a Comment

Container gardening or planting with pots can be tricky if you aren’t fully equipped with the correct materials. You’ll of course need a few of our extra tough fiberglass pots or plant containers, but you’ll also need a quality liner in order to keep soil contained and roots protected. However, you need to keep in mind that there are a few different types of planter liners which are used for different types of planting. Keep reading to get an idea of which type of planting pot liner will work best for you.

Plastic Liners

Plastic pot liners are a popular choice because they’re affordable and easy to use. These plastic liners also come in a variety of textures and designs, allowing you to select ones that fit the needs of the specific kind of plants you plan on planting. You can even find sturdy plastic discs that are placed at the bottom of your planting container in order to lift it up and allow proper drainage.

Foam Liners

Some gardeners or landscapers prefer to use pearls made out of recycled foam at the bottom of pots and planters. They’re lightweight, inexpensive and available in bulk packages online and at local home improvement stores.

Coco Liners

Liners made out of coco fibers are typically chosen by both landscapers and home gardeners. Just keep in mind that coco liners tend to do best when added to hanging pots because they like to be able to breathe. The downside to coco liners is that they can get a little expensive depending on the size of the liner and the brand.

Fabric Liners

Fabric liners or grow bags are usually the ideal choice for plants with medium roots because they allow more air to reach them and improve drainage in order to prevent them from overheating during drought or dry spells. They also help plants root quicker than other liners and some of them come with built-in handles that make it easy to transplant when needed.

Homemade Mixes

If you don’t have a budget that allows you to invest in plastic net liners, fabric pot liners or coco liners, you can always make your own pot liner at home with things from around the yard. All you have to do is gather a few twigs, a bit of mulch, some pine needles, a handful of sandy dirt or clay and build layers along the interior of your planting pots.

Planting with pots is a trend that is here to stay. If you plan to experiment with your own container garden, plant design or potted display, make sure you check out our collection of plant planters. We offer a line of top quality fiberglass pots which can be used either indoors or outdoors. They are available in an assortment of muted colors, vibrant shades, sultry colors and different finishes, allowing you to mix-and-match them as you see fit. Use a few window planters to grow herbs and spices, use a large tree pot to plant a fruit tree or use a decorative planter to enhance your patio décor.

5 Potted Plant Care Tips

October 30, 2016 by Craig Urbine Leave a Comment

Have you made the wise decision to use pots and planters for your herbs, plants, shrubs, trees or floral selections? If so, you will need to care for them a bit differently than ones planted in the ground. To help you grow potted plants that are healthy, strong and gorgeous, here are some tips that will ensure you understand potted plant care.

1. Choose the Correct Planters

The kind of garden planter you use to plant your grow could make all the difference when it comes to the health, size and color of your plants. Generally, fiberglass plant containers are recommended for both indoor and outdoor use since they are weather-resistant, fade-proof and lightweight enough to be moved around when desired.

2. Choose the Right Type of Soil

The type of soil you use to plant your container garden also plays a role in the vitality of your plants or flowers. You of course don’t want to use dirt or soil from the ground as it can be full of insects, weeds or fungi, so you should grab a few bags of potting soil mix from your local home improvement shop or gardening store. Most of these standard potting soils have already been blended with fertilizer, but you’ll need to do your research according to the type of vegetation you plan to plant. Top soil retains too much water which causes stress on the planter and may cause root problems or stress fractures in your planter. This is one of the most important considerations with potted plant care.

3. Prepare Your Pots for Planting

Besides choosing the best planters and the right kind of soil, the things you do before planting are vital to the performance of your grow. You’ll want to make sure you use a top quality planter liner and also make sure your pots offer adequate drainage for the type of plant they will contain.

4. Feed & Water Your Plants

It almost goes without saying – watering your plants if a must. However, some gardening enthusiasts aren’t sure exactly what a watering schedule should look like. While weekly watering can suffice during the rainy spring months, it’s recommended you water more frequently when summer arrives. Another general rule-of-thumb is hanging plants and small potted plants need to be watered more often and larger ones will do fine if watered once daily or every other day. Plants that grow in pots tend to require more fertilizer than those grown in the ground, so you may also want to consider feeding them a time-released fertilizer.

5. Trim or Prune When Needed

Cutting off dead leaves or unhealthy buds is essential for container gardening. The majority of leafy plants will prune themselves, but it will take time, so it’s easier to do it yourself using your garden tools. Keep in mind that most pruning should be performed following a strong bloom in order to give your plants room to “breathe”.

Caring for your potted plants isn’t as complicated as many believe. Some gardeners even feel that container gardening is more convenient that traditional gardening because you can move the pots and control the environment they are exposed to. If you plan on building your own container garden, you’ll want to check out our collection of garden containers, pots and planters. We carry an assortment of colors, sizes and shapes!

How to Prepare Your Plants and Containers for Planting

October 16, 2016 by Craig Urbine Leave a Comment

The modern trend of container gardening is on the rise among homeowners, renters, landscapers and corporate designers. If you want to get in on the craze and put together your own planter display, there are a few things you’ll need to do before planting. Check out our step-by-step guide to prepare your plants and containers for planting.

Step 1: Clean the Interior

It’s always a good idea to clean the inside of your plant container before planting in order to ensure it is free of chemicals, dust, etc. This step is especially important if you are reusing a pot or if it has been in storage. All you have to do is wipe down the interior with a damp cloth and a bit of soapy water.

Step 2: Drill Drainage Holes (If Necessary)

Proper drainage is crucial if you want healthy outdoor plants. While some planting containers and pots are already equipped with drainage holes, some aren’t. If your plant pots don’t have drainage holes, you may want to look at drilling a few yourself. Depending on the material that the pot it made out of, it should be rather easy to drill or puncture holes in the bottom of it.

Step 3: Apply a Liner

If you use one of our extra tough fiberglass planters for your planting needs, you don’t necessarily need to insert a liner before inserting your plants. Although, if you will be using them as outdoor planters in conditions that can reach freezing temperatures, you may want to consider lining the pots with a protective fabric liner, plastic liner or coco liner.

Step 4: Fill Your Pot

In order to improve drainage, you should fill the bottom of your pot with something that provides a little elevation. Foam beads, foam blocks, lava rock and weed cloth are commonly used as plant container fillers.

Step 5: Pour In Soil

Next, pour in your soil. Make sure you choose the right kind of soil for the type of plant, shrub, tree or herb you will be planting. Sandy soil is typically only used to plant drought-resistant plants since it can dry quickly, mulch delivers nutrients and potting soil is an all around great choice for general gardening. Top soil is not recommended.

Step 6: Blend in Fertilizer

Some soils are already fertilized but some aren’t. If your soil is not fertilized, it’s recommended you blend a bit of it by hand before planting. Contrary to popular belief, there are many organic fertilizers that pose no harm to you, your pets or children who play in the yard.

Step 7: Plant Seeds, Seedlings, or Foliage

Now that your garden containers are ready, you can plant your seeds, seedlings or cuttings. If you’ll be transplanting, keep in mind that you’ll need to introduce the roots at the appropriate depth for the type of plant.

Whether you are wanting to make your own portable herb garden, flower garden or veggie garden, container gardening is definitely the way to go. We have just the products you need to get started. Follow the steps above to get your pots ready for planting!

Top 5 Affordable Plants Perfect for Pots

October 3, 2016 by Craig Urbine Leave a Comment

As you may have noticed, Jay Scotts designs, develops and sells some of the finest quality planting pots and planters around. While landscapers and landscape architects commonly incorporate the commercial grade plant containers in their designs, everyday homeowners can use our planting essentials as well. We carry a range of sizes, colors and shapes, allowing you to choose the ones that coordinate best with your garden, patio, deck or porch. To provide you with some container gardening inspiration, check out these 5 affordable plants that are perfect for pots!

Boxwood

Boxwoods are some of the most popular plants for pot planting because they can be shaped, thus serving as living sculptures! These boxy plants also look good all year round, are drought tolerable and require very little maintenance. They look exceptionally sophisticated when shaped into a topiary, planted in one of our square pots and placed on your front stoop to greet guests.

Rock Rose

Growing only to a mature height of 16”, these full sun-loving rose bushes make a lovely pick for planting in your pots. The roses are also quite beautiful when in full bloom and they like to be watered. Since they are considered ornamental plants, you will need to care for them as so. However, they are strong enough to withstand snowy winters so you don’t have to worry about leaving them outdoors.

Bay Laurel

Bay laurel trees can grow to heights up to 10 feet, but with regular pruning, they can be kept in a small tree pot. They like lots of sun and moist, acidic soil. Not to mention, you can also use the mature leaves to spice dishes such as soups, baked casseroles and stews.

Hosta

These plants are not only gorgeous, they are also perfect for planting in a pot or container. The green color of the leaves is breathtaking, while the white trim that border them provides a decorative appeal. They are commonly believed to be plants which love shade, but this isn’t necessarily true. The color of your hostas will affect how much sun it needs to stay bright and healthy.

Heuchera

This leafy plant is available in a wide variety of bold colors, which is why it makes a fantastic choice for container gardeners who are looking to decorate an outdoor space. The leaves also keep their vibrant color all winter long, so you won’t have to worry about bring the pots indoors or taking any other precautionary measures.

Container gardening can be rather fun if you have the right tools. Feel free to browse our collection of fiberglass garden containers and plant pots to find the ones that blend best with your décor or design. We offer a wide selection of rectangular plant containers, round pots, tree pots, square planters and ones that feature unusual shapes. They come in a variety of colors and finishes, allowing you to get as creative as you would like. Our fiberglass plant containers are also lightweight, making them easy to move around the garden, backyard, porch, patio or deck when needed.