Can we see a photo of them Linda? Maybe we could start a new thread for Concrete containers?

These are like any terra cotta pot - just don't get them full of water & they should be fine in freezing temps..

That would be the problem here. Lots of wet combined with prolonged really hard freezes that don't allow water to drain.

It's the same with plants. I don't lose them during winter, but I do lose some after the snow cover is gone. Terra cotta breaks here if left filled.

Here's a double that wasn't planned. Still can't plant, it's going down to 30 at night for the rest of the week. Possible flurries, I love winter but come on!

That's absolutely divine, Nancy!

I know! Aren't the wind chills crazy-cold today!?! I don't even want to think about what it'll be like tomorrow when it's colder and cloudier... and still windy!

You two keep bundled up. Mother Raphaela will be going back home to New York this Friday. She has been enjoying our 70 to 80 degree weather. But sadly it will be cooling back down into the 50's and 60's starting today.

Nancy that double planter is wonderful, I can't wait to see it planted.

Yes I agree, the double is most interesting!!

Lynn will make pic of mossy concrete pot.
O K here are my versions of cloth and cement.

straw hat "pinch" pot, went back and reinforced with thermal weave top. Then coated with 2 more coats of mix. Little heavier but I want it to last. Used heavy fishing line tied around the middle to get the shape with plastic pot for support. Curing now .

more thermal top. Used 2 plastic juice bottles half filled with water, turned upside down in in pickle jars also half full of water, covered with a plastic bag. Used cut styrofoam cups to get some flair on sides. Still working on these last two.
last piece of thermal top. Support is stack of nursery pots with a plastic bag over them. Folds are Wally world bags folded and put underneath.
This is messy and fun at the same time. I have seen the wonderful paint jobs others have done on theirs on here. I am not a creative painter.
Wonder if you add more coats of mix would it last longer and be more durable?

Wow, Linda those are great. I love that you are making them extra thick, for durability. That hat is awesome.

Thank you I have wanted a pinched pot and finally found the perfect recipe

Well that is a nice size one.

Ohhh love the new pots Linda and Nancy. I finally planted one of mine, @Bubbles contributed the brom in the middle. I had put off planting this one for a while. I wanted something special. Never made that happen, but still got it planted. I only had an ugly plastic planter here.... so I am pretty stoked to have something a little more permanent.

Very nice Audrey, and it looks wonderful in the metal frame.

Audrey, that's gorgeous! You're so creative.

I agree it looks really nice in the metal holder. What's the mossy stuff underneath ?

Thank you Lynn and Sandi. M.J. I was afraid someone might ask me about that. It is actually a fake aquarium plant that I had used to cover the ugly black plastic pot that I did have in there. There is a space under how the concrete sits in the metal and I thought it looked neat that way. I normally do not like to use fake anything, but I think it works for this. Shhh... don't tell anyone

For my favorite one made from the shaw I finally found it a home that I like a lot. It is nestled in red salvia and some purple larkspur that the hummingbirds love. They use the tips as a perch. The males fight over who gets to sit and watch over one of their favorite dining areas. I tried some different plants in it and have not liked any of the results. It is in a very harsh unprotected spot, so anything in it would have to be super duper tough. I thought one of our native nolinas would work but I didn't like the way that looked. Until I find a perfect match it will just remain as artwork and a hummingbird perch for now. I have rocks in the bottom to keep the winds from knocking it over.

Wow, and double wow. That is over the top interesting Audrey.

Thankyou!!! With the larkspur next to the red salvia it is one of my favorite spots in the garden right now. The rock wall I dry stacked myself and have just finished this area in the past few weeks, so I have enjoyed setting back and looking at all the hard work. We started out with a raw piece of land three and half years ago and it has come a very long way. One rock at a time. I always seem to be unhappy with my gardens and this year for the first time I can see I have actually made some progress.

A perfect setting, Audrey. Looks like a painting!

And what a beautiful view for a background.