Gardening With Your Metal Planters
Metal planters are one of the best ways to make a statement in your outdoor or indoor gardening space. The variety of bold finishes, colors, and textures provides a look that is simply unmatched by other planters, however, gardening in a metal planter comes with its own unique challenges due to the nature of the material from which it is constructed. Too many gardeners quickly become intimidated by metal planters because of their differences from the typical plastic, fiberglass, or terracotta options, but in this article we will tackle some of these different questions and the easy solutions that will make gardening in a metal planter easier than ever.
Are Metal Planters Too Hot?
It’s no secret that metal heats up quickly in direct sunlight, and your metal planter as a result can sometimes get pretty hot. Solving this problem all comes down to the location of the planter and the types of plants you choose to fill the planter with.
Location Matters
Location, location, location. This is the one word to remember when planning on where you are going to put a metal planter, not simply for the aesthetic purpose, but also for the sake of the plants themselves. Placing the planter in full sun will likely result in overheating, so instead choose to place the planter in the shade or only partial sun, this will limit the amount of time the planter spends warming up throughout the day.
Choose to place the planter in the shade or only partial sun
Thoughtful Plant Choice
Secondly, choose your plants with care. If your planter is going to be exposed to the sunlight, the most successful plants are those that can survive higher soil temperatures and more direct sunlight. However, if your planter is in the shade, you probably shouldn’t plant a sun lover. Keep these two tips in mind and make sure to water to avoid the chance of overheating.
What About Drainage?
It’s no secret that water won’t seep out through a metal planter, steel or copper products are typically watertight much like the majority of plastic planter options that are widely used. Keeping a large metal or copper planter properly drained is therefore as simple as keeping any other planter from filling with stagnant water.
Drainage Solutions
To keep any planter from suffering from poor drainage, simply purchase a planter that has pre-drilled drain holes, or add them yourselves with a drill and drill bit. Water will efficiently drain through the metal planter’s drain hole without the need for your planter to be made from a less visually appealing porous material.
Purchase a planter that has pre-drilled drain holes, or add them yourselves
Will My Planter Rust Easily?
The age-old problem of using metal outdoors is quite certainly the invasive presence of rust. Rust can quickly eat away at any metal structure causing it to deteriorate, which is not something we want in the garden! It’s a fact that any metal garden structure is going to suffer from the effects of rust, but there are ways you can minimize the natural wear and tear on your metal planters.
Rust Resistant Planters
First of all, purchase a metal planter that is made from durable and rust-resistant materials. Stainless steel with a finish is one of the best options to prevent the inevitable approach of rust to outdoor metal displays, so don’t be afraid to research some of these options.
Using a clear coat sealer is another great option to protect your planter. A clear coat sealer can often be sprayed onto the planter easily, keeping your planter safe from the elements and the presence of rust.
Metal Planters are a great addition to any gardening space, serving both in a decorative and functional role in the garden. Like any type of planter they have their own pros and cons, so make sure to research a little about all the different types of planters you might find before placing them in your garden. Happy Gardening!