Just about every gardener has a stack of chipped and cracked terra cotta pots just lying around the garden waiting for something to do. Here at the nursery, that stack has been growing for some time. We use part of the broken pottery to add extra drainage to large planters, but that still doesn't utilize all we acquire. The rest, so far, has been stacked in our potting shed waiting for a purpose until now.
Well how about this for a use? Terra cotta gravel. It's easy to do and works the same as any other gravel mulch. It helps finish the surface of a pot (hiding the unsightly specks of perlite), keeps down weeds and improves moisture retention without becoming waterlogged at the based of plants. To make your own terra cotta gravel, you will need a hammer, safety glasses, gloves and an old sheet or pillowcase ( I say old because once you start hammering, that pillowcase is history). First break pots into several large pieces. Then place the pieces inside the pillowcase and start hammering away (best on a firm surface like a concrete driveway). Keep hammering until the pieces are the size you desire or you've taken out all the day's frustrations. For best results match the size of the chunks to the size of the pots. Large urns and pots can utilize large pieces whereas small pots look best with tiny gravel sized bits. Here we've used the pottery shards to add a finishing touch to a succulent planter. Doesn't it look lovely?
How do you re-purpose your broken pottery? Let us know in the comments.
I tend to use my in the bottom of another pot to cover the drainage hole but this is another great idea.. Thanks
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