General Product Care for Cast Stone, Pottery, & Natural Stone
- Cast stone (concrete), pottery, and granite products should never be set directly on dirt or mulched beds. A patio stone must be placed underneath each item to keep it level and to prevent it from absorbing moisture from the ground.
- If your item rests in standing water during the winter, it will absorb water and freeze, which can cause it to crack and crumble. Be aware that standing water can occur on your deck or patio. Items placed in a pond must be raised above the highest water level for the winter or be removed completely from the pond.
- Most products can be left outside through the winter if they do not hold water anywhere. Sealing pieces with a water sealant will not prevent cracking or other winter damage and should not be viewed as an alternative to proper winter care.
- Mexican pottery, other delicate pottery, and red clay products must be brought indoors prior to the first frost and stored indoors during the winter.
- Painted or stained products left outside year-round will weather. Any applied color will last longer if the piece is stored inside during the winter.
- For longer-lasting color, stained cast stone pieces should be treated with Henri Stone Sealer once a year. Painted products, including metal garden art, should be treated with a clear sealer spray once a year. The piece must be clean and dry when any spray is applied.
- Cleaning: cast stone, natural stone, and pottery can typically be wiped clean with a sponge and water. For excessive dirt or stubborn stains use a mild detergent and a soft brush.
Planter Care
- Outdoor planters should never be set directly on dirt or mulched beds. A patio stone must be placed underneath them.
- Cast stone and glazed pottery planters can remain outdoors during the winter as long as drainage holes are not clogged and the planter is draining properly. Place a minimum of 2-4 inches of cobblestone in the bottom of each pot prior to adding the potting soil to help keep the drainage hole from clogging. A piece of fabric underlayment or landscape fabric can be placed between the cobblestone and the potting soil to prevent loose soil from washing out the hole when you water.
- Planters that sit on smooth patios should be shimmed so that they do not seal themselves to the patio, thus preventing water from draining through the hole in the bottom.