When I first went looking for light weight garden containers to set up my vegetable garden, I specifically looked for pots that were square. I wanted to use Square Foot Gardening methods without needing to use geometry! But since my garden is in the public area of a condo, I wanted to make sure the pots were also attractive and problem free. Therefore, I looked for planters that had “feet”. I wanted to prevent stains and rotting of the deck beneath the pots.
Both Home Depot and Lowe’s had plastic pots that fulfilled all of my requirements, but I preferred the appearance of the ones at Lowe’s, as well as their higher stance. I knew that I wouldn’t have to bend over so far when I was tending to my veggies with the taller containers. After setting everything up, I discovered that the feet didn’t lift the pots high enough for clearance of the standard plastic saucers sold everywhere. Rats! I needed about a half inch more lift for the saucers to fit without squishing them. I looked pretty much everywhere before I settled on square rubber coasters sold to place under a bed frame. I didn’t like them much, but I couldn’t find anything else that would do the trick. That is, until this weekend!
I went looking for another tomato transplant Sunday. The one I planted early this year was stunted by our lousy weather. While I was out and about, I strolled throughout the entire garden center of each place I visited. After all, you never know what gem you might discover…like Pot Toes. I could not believe what I saw. Sure, I have a few sets of ceramic “feet” to lift up various potted plants around my home, but these things are genius! They aren’t heavy or clunky. They are sold in small packets of six or twelve. I bought two packs of twelve, and went back yesterday for two more after I discovered they are stackable! Wonderful. Compact, sturdy, strong and best of all, easy to use! They are plastic and come in several colors. I would have preferred brown, like the deck where my garden is located, but the dark gray looks just fine under the speckled white and gray planter boxes in my garden.
I found mine at Green Thumb Nursery which is a small chain in Southern California. I remember shopping at one of their nurseries in the San Fernando Valley when I was little. There’s one only four minutes from my house now. I love going there. The people are very nice and knowledgeable. I looked online to see where else Pot Toes are sold, but couldn’t find them at any of the big box stores or large nursery chains. The parent company is Gardenrite, in Vancouver, Canada. But, if you don’t have a Green Thumb near you, they are also available on Amazon. Just type in Pot Toes. But before you do, go to the Gardenrite web site and take a really good look, http://www.gardenrite.com/
I tossed out the ugly bed frame coasters I was using, and all my pots are standing on their tippy toes now. They look better and are easier to move. There is more air movement under the pots which is healthier for the plants. Best of all, the plastic saucers fit underneath without being squished. No squish equals no leaks, no stains, no muss, and no fuss. Easy. A product after my own heart.
Until next time,
Elizabeth
