Terra cotta flower pots are classic, orange-tinted plastic pots are chintzy and eco-unfriendly but useful if you happen to have them around. A good, green option for your greenery is EcoFlowerPots, made from recycled rubber and plastic. The EcoPot is the one in the forefront of the photo. As you can see, it blends right in with the other flower pots while offering a lot more character. EcoFlowerPots have a rich patina and the durability of a superball. The pots are made in the USA and available at nurseries nationwide. The company was generous enough to send me a selection of pots yet individual pots are not sold on their site. You can order an entire pallet but I imagine that’s a bit overkill for the average garden. To find outlets where you can purchase smaller quantities, check distributors on the site: www.ecoflowerpots.com. If you don’t find a local retailer, I would suggest contacting the company directly. They were excessively helpful.
I would like to make the claim that EcoFlowerPots are deer-repellent, however I’m not sure I can do that in good conscience. You decide. A “before” photo would help, as this shot is from the day “after” a deer came by on a snacking spree. She nibbled away all of the daisies in the plastic containers (note the blighted landscape in the large pots) and left the English Daisies in the EcoFlowerPot in tact. I looked up English Daisy (or Bellis perennis if you prefer Latin) in this nifty list of plants rated by deer-resistance and they were rated a dubious, “occasionally severely damaged.” Since these Bellis perennis are not suffering any damage, I am crediting the EcoFlowerPots as the deer-resistant prize winner in our yard.
You should be able to find EcoFlowerPots or other planters made from recycled or natural materials at your local gardening shops. But, before you head out to make the purchase, make sure you assess your used flower pots. Chances are, they’re probably in good enough condition to use for one more season. Then, you’re just recycling what you already have. If your plastic pots just can’t make it one more minute or the deer have eaten right through them, be sure to put them in your recycling bin (the pots, not the deer.) And while you’re at it, don’t forget to recycle the plastic containers that house your store-bought starter plants.
A few more upcycled planters:
Follow these instructions from Wuv’n Acres Daylily Gardens to craft your own car tire flower containers. Be warned, the website says “This is not a project for lazy people.” Price: relatively free.
Really cool car tire flower pots (although at this price you might need to decide if you need a new set of tires for your car or your yard.) From Design Within Reach, set of 3 for $88.
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