Cast Stone Fountain Care
Cast Stone
Outdoor Planting Instructions
Cast stone planters are equipped with pre-installed drainage holes to allow for drainage. The drain holes must be kept clear to maintain the longevity of your planter, especially in climates that undergo freeze thaw cycles in the winter. We recommend, whenever possible, raising the planter off of the ground to prevent the planter from freezing to the surface below; Covering the drain holes with a mesh screen or equivalent to keep debris from clogging the openings; Filling the bottom of the planter with non-porous drainage material; Filling the remainder of the planter with a well-draining soil mix that will not retain water; and lastly, covering the soil with decorative mulchor pine bark to the top rim of the planter to discourage water from pooling on the surface.
Cleaning Instructions
The cast stone planters can be cleaned with diluted vinegar and water or with any commercially available mild detergent. Use a soft cloth, sponge, or brush. Do not pressure wash, apply corrosive cleaners or clean with anything abrasive. Note that it may take several cycles of wiping and drying before the planter is completely clean. Cast stone contains salts that may effloresce over time. You will notice a fine white powdery coating on the surface of the cast stone if the efflorescence is present in your product. If you wish to remove the salt deposits, Campania can recommend an appropriate efflorescence cleaner.
Winter Care Instructions
While this high density mixture is designed to produce a strong and durable product, proper maintenance is recommended to protect our product from the freeze-thaw cycles that occur in winter. Any piece which can hold water, snow or ice, such as a planter, birdbath/ fountain top or shell, and any piece which is placed directly on the ground surface, such as a statue, birdbath/fountain base, planter or bench leg, can be damaged by the winter freeze-thaw cycles.
If a planter is to be left planted over the winter, it should be raised up off the ground by placing two (2) pressure treated wood strips underneath the planter, making sure not to block the drainage hole. Attractive pot risers sold by Campania may also be used for this purpose. This will allow the soil to drain and will prevent the planter from freezing to the ground. If a planter is placed directly on the ground and goes through several freeze-thaw cycles, drainage may be blocked. This may cause an expansion of the soil inside the planter, which in turn may cause the planter to crack or crumble. We always recommend that drainage materials such as small stones or terra cotta chips be placed at the bottom of the planter before filling with soil to ensure proper drainage. If a planter is not to remain planted over the winter, we suggest that it be stored in a covered area where it will be protected from the elements. If a planter must be left outside unplanted, we suggest that it be emptied and turned upside down onto wood strips. It should then be covered or wrapped with burlap or any absorbent material (old blanket/towel) and then wrapped with dark plastic. This will prevent moisture from accumulating in the planter. Please note that even if a cast stone container is raised off the ground, there is always the risk that the container will absorb water through its surface which, when frozen, can cause the planter to crack or break.
While this high density mixture is designed to produce a strong and durable product, proper maintenance is recommended to protect our product from the freeze-thaw cycles that occur in winter. Any piece which can hold water, snow or ice, such as a planter, birdbath/ fountain top or shell, and any piece which is placed directly on the ground surface, such as a statue, birdbath/fountain base, planter or bench leg, can be damaged by the winter freeze-thaw cycles.
If a planter is to be left planted over the winter, it should be raised up off the ground by placing two (2) pressure treated wood strips underneath the planter, making sure not to block the drainage hole. Attractive pot risers sold by Campania may also be used for this purpose. This will allow the soil to drain and will prevent the planter from freezing to the ground. If a planter is placed directly on the ground and goes through several freeze-thaw cycles, drainage may be blocked. This may cause an expansion of the soil inside the planter, which in turn may cause the planter to crack or crumble. We always recommend that drainage materials such as small stones or terra cotta chips be placed at the bottom of the planter before filling with soil to ensure proper drainage. If a planter is not to remain planted over the winter, we suggest that it be stored in a covered area where it will be protected from the elements. If a planter must be left outside unplanted, we suggest that it be emptied and turned upside down onto wood strips. It should then be covered or wrapped with burlap or any absorbent material (old blanket/towel) and then wrapped with dark plastic. This will prevent moisture from accumulating in the planter. Please note that even if a cast stone container is raised off the ground, there is always the risk that the container will absorb water through its surface which, when frozen, can cause the planter to crack or break.
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Email: support@grandgardendecor.com
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Pacific Standard Time