Thank you everyone. So long as I’m not missing out on some insider knowledge of fabulous frost proof terracotta for half of garden centre prices... which seem astronomical.
Should have searched the threads first. Will have a look now. George I know what you mean about the ER glaze.
I dont think there is any way to get a massive bargain on these. After procrastinating for a year or so I finally bought mine (Apta Aegean Handled Beehives) from Dobbies with a discount for joining their membership scheme, so I think instead of £120 each they were nearer £100.
They didnt even help me lift them into the car, and they weigh a ton! 😅
They have had the impact I wanted though, and Im very happy with them.
When my son was in college(now aged 45) he worked for a beefeater type pub who were refurbishing. They threw out their lovely terracotta pots and I still have one of them. I did nothing to it and it has withstood everything our climate has thrown at it for the last 25 years. I certainly couldn't have afforded to buy it even 25 years ago.
I suppose when you're using your own personal garden as a set for a TV show, you don't need to worry about the price of things like massive pots if the cost comes from within the programme budget. Always seems to amaze me how many new shiny tools and equipment pop up on the show. I probably wouldn't be so picky if it was for somewhere like Beechgrove because that garden and everything in it has been built purely for a TV show, whereas when eventually the cameras roll out of MD's garden, everything that has been bought and used on the show will no doubt be left behind. Not bitter at all - just makes me realise that for most people, MD's style of gardening with huge pots, amongst other things, is beyond the realm and pocket for most novice and even experienced gardeners.
Following some previous year's discussions on large pots, I did hunt out some at my local garden centres. They have big sales. Mine are not as huge but I did get some pretty large ones for dalhias for about £40. If you ask for ones that are slightly bashed or chipped you might be able to get a bargain. I think it might be one of those that you have to keep half a eye out always for a bargain and jump on it when it comes up. Pots come up fair often on freecycle sites and local swap sites. A neighbour was giving away 12 large steel planters last week. It made our broke garden group very happy.
Thanks everyone for the advice. Keenongreen thanks for confirming it’s Whichfords . The prices of their ‘essentials’ range made me smile.
Joe yes I think you’re right. No super discounts. Fire, thanks for the up on freecycle. Will sign up and I will keep eyes pealed for garden centre sales.
We visited Whichfords last year and I was very disappointed. I knew they would be expensive but to be honest there was none I would want to buy, somehow more disappointing that not being able to afford them. I don’t like pots which are branded with the makers name which all of theirs are unless you choose ones with lost of pattern or “fuss”. I thought I would find some beautifully made, classic designs but no, nothing.
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
You might check with some local colleges that have ceramics programs. I used to work at Richmond Adult Community College, and know some of the students would create commissioned projects, to fund the cost of clay and such. They also have a twice yearly ceramics sale, and I picked up some awesome mugs and vessels each year. You might contact the tutor at your local college, and see if they know some interested students. The college kilns are huge, so some large vessels could be created to your specifications. Probably not frost proof, but you could discuss the cone fire temperature if you do your research. Just an idea.. and supports local artists/students.
I may be remembering this wrong ..... but in one of his books Monty tells the story of a time when he and his wife were struggling for cash. She went to an auction and made a bid on a shed ... complete with (unseen) contents. He was less then impressed.
When they finally got it home and got it open, it had a fabulous stash of terracotta pots. So his big pots may date from that time.
Bee x
Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
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They didnt even help me
lift them into the car, and they weigh a ton! 😅
They have had the impact I wanted though, and Im very happy with them.
East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
I may be remembering this wrong ..... but in one of his books Monty tells the story of a time when he and his wife were struggling for cash. She went to an auction and made a bid on a shed ... complete with (unseen) contents. He was less then impressed.
When they finally got it home and got it open, it had a fabulous stash of terracotta pots.
So his big pots may date from that time.
Bee x
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime