When planting, place crocks or other drainage material over the drainage hole, use good well draining potting compost, and, with terracotta, soak the pot before planting.

Top dress with pea shingle, water frequently in summer & water the outside of terracotta pots. In winter, water only when absolutly necessary, and then sparingly.

We strongly recommend that all glazed pots & pots with enclosed shapes (ali babas, bottles etc.,) should be stood on pot feet through the winter.

Never stand pots in saucers outside over the winter, never seal drainage holes, paint or cement pots to the floor.

* The above points should be understood as conditions of our guarantee *

There are many recipes for 'ageing' terracotta pots; - painting the surface with dilute live yoghurt, liquid manure mixes etc.
The best way is to let time do the work properly for you. Moist, well cared for pots will age gracefully & acquire a patina of algae, moss & lichen, when ready.

For those who like their pots 'clean', moss, algae, and any white salts deposited on terracotta can be removed with a dilute solution of a proprietary patio or brick cleaner.

Damaged pots can always be repaired, handmade pots are special, they have an individual character & history & should not be discarded even if they are in peices. Many antique pots, repaired with mortar, cement of 'stitched' with brass wire, are still in use in numerous public gardens. There are now a number of highly effective resin glues available, which can seal terracotta & even fill missing pieces. For effective repairs, pots must be completely dry when using resins.