The Daily Dig

On a recent open house tour, I noticed something lurking in the corner of the greenhouse. No, it wasn't a Garden Gnome come back to life, but a dusty cobweb-filled terracotta pot. I picked it up and saw that it was an old piece made by Bauer Los Angeles. No matter that the pot was paint splattered, had worn edges, with a crack running along the inside lip. I had to have it! The pot had a beautiful scalloped rim and the greatest patina. When the realtor asked if I liked the house, I told him I loved the pot. He laughed and said I could have it. Lucky me!
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Terracotta pots get better with age. Don't be discouraged by chipped, cracked, painted, or stained pots. Look for pots that are ribbed, patterned, textured, or simple shapes that have calcium residue with green moss growing on it. I think that older pieces are a little more unique. It's true that "they don't make them like they used to."

Terracotta pottery is not difficult to find. I've been picking them up at thrift stores, yard sales, online auctions, and newer ones at nurseries. Whenever I go to an estate sale, I always look to see if there are any pots in the backyard. People don't think to look there and they are usually not included with the sale so you can often get them on the cheap or free. Terracotta pottery can go for as little as fifty cents or as much as thirty dollars.

With some luck and time, you can ad some terracotta style to your garden and patio. You gotta have terracotta !