Botticelli Italian Terracotta Bowls

Pallet Delivery

Orders of terracotta pots are typically fulfilled via a reliable, third-party kerbside pallet service. This operates Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.

I aim for a 5–10 day turnaround from order to delivery, allowing time to carefully package your items, particularly during busy periods. In some cases, orders may be fast-tracked - so if you require your items urgently, please get in touch before placing your order.

This service covers all mainland England & Wales addresses... but deliveries to Scotland, Ireland, and offshore locations (Jersey, the Isle of Wight...) will require a quote due to additional surcharges.

The good news is that as I already absorb the standard delivery cost within my prices, any extra charges are often much less than you might expect.

Once your order is received, I will contact you to arrange a convenient delivery date. Orders are never dispatched without prior communication.

For more details on the pallet delivery process and any restrictions, please see this page.

Courier Service

For customers requiring a more helpful service, I also offer a personal delivery option. This is not kerbside, so as long as there are no access restrictions around your garden, I - or my go-to courier - aim to place your pots in-situ.

This is worked out on a quotation basis and covers customers on a nationwide basis. It is particularly popular with buyers placing substantial orders - or for those who may struggle to move pots delivered on a pallet.

A one-stop shop for some of Britain's finest garden wares; Tom's Yard proudly supplies garden designers, landscapers, hotels, restaurants, developers, estate managers and other trade professionals throughout the UK.

If you're working on a project and need a reliable source of high-quality garden products, I'd be delighted to work with you.

Simply apply for a trade account using this link. Once approved, you'll be able to place orders online with a straightforward trade discount applied across my entire range.

Your Trade Discount Covers:-

• Everything!
• Terracotta Pots
• Metal Planters (Corten Steel & Galvanised)
• Garden Furniture
• Hand-Woven Willow Products
• Water Features
• Decorative Garden Objects
• Fire Pits
• Plant Supports & Obelisks
• Garden Tools

How does it work?

No complicated pricing structures... no hidden delivery costs... no minimum spends... Whether you're sourcing a single statement piece or furnishing an entire garden scheme, you'll receive the same discount across the board.

As long as your project is located in mainland England or Wales, ordering through your online trade account couldn't be simpler.

Apply today and let's bring your next project to life.

To remain very competitive, I am pleased to run a Cash & Carry programme. This offers discounts on terracotta pots purchased directly in the Yard and taken away on the day.

Visitors travel from across England and Wales to Tom's Yard... and it's easy to see why.

The Range

Home to one of the largest collections of quality terracotta pots in Britain, Tom's Yard offers a range that simply cannot be found elsewhere. From small hand-thrown pots to statement garden pieces measuring over a metre in height, every pot has been carefully selected for its craftsmanship, character and durability.

Whether you're a keen gardener, a landscape professional or searching for the perfect finishing touch for your outdoor space, a visit to Tom's Yard provides the opportunity to explore hundreds of pots in person and find the piece that's just right for your project.

What will I Save?

As there are no delivery charges to factor into my pricing, I follow a different structure. It varies pot to pot, however - to give you an example - a single 60cm Donatello online costs around £280. Purchased in the Yard, you could expect to pay down to £200.

You'll be *very* hard pushed to find a comparative quality Italian pot off the shelf at a better price.

Contact me to arrange your visit.

Clay

The clay used to make these pots is unique to the soil around Tuscany. My finest Italian terracotta pots are crafted from what's called a Galestro clay. This is a typical earthenware clay but enhanced through the addition of soft rock to add additional minerals to improve colour and frost-hardiness. Once formed together and fired, the finish and quality is sublime.

Detail

All of my Italian pots are made with routinely replaced molds. This means that details remain consistent, crisp and pronounced with great effect.

Drying & Firing

All of my Italian pots go through the same tried-and-tested process.

Once the raw clay has been pressed and smoothed into molds, the raw pots are left to dry for around 20 days. This time allows for them to release additional moisture before the final step...

Once finished being cured, the pots are then wheeled and stacked into huge gas-fired kilns where they are heated at very high temperatures for three days.

This lengthy process ensures that your pots are correctly prepared and thoroughly heated. That is the secret to creating what I call, a proper pot.

The total time individually making these pots can vary but they often take over a month from start to finish.

At Tom's Yard I choose to exclusively deal with quality garden pottery; Ceramics made from the best materials, put through the most thorough firing processes.

As a result, all of my clay pots are made to be left outside and enjoyed for 365 days of the year.

With that being said, there are simple steps you should take to ensure the longevity of your pots and the health of your plants. Following the coming steps will go a long way to ensuring that your pots last for years to come.

Winter

If prolonged or sudden, harsh freezing conditions are forecasted, I recommend wrapping your pots in bubble plastic or fleece; this should prevent the earth from freezing solid (avoiding the risk of splitting the pot) whilst offering insulation to protect your plants. This is because plants grown in pots can be more vulnerable to changing weather conditions.

Following the steps below will go a long way to mitigating harmful effects to your plants and will ensure that your pots last for years to come.

Drainage

Drainage is vital if a pot is going outside. Every so often you should check to see if the holes have become clogged up. Otherwise water could be retained leading to root-rot or the risk of damage to your pot during freezing conditions. All pots will arrive with standard drainage holes.

Although not always necessary, you can raise your pot off the ground to assist with drainage. Flat stones, tiles, wooden batons, plastic matting or my terracotta feet are ideal.

Planting

If you are using the pot for planting, place a thin layer of gravel or broken crocks in the base. This prevents the holes from becoming clogged up with soil. Top up with a suitable compost / soil depending on the plants needs. If you're unsure, check with the nursery you purchased them from or reference a reputable online source like the RHS.

If the pot is enclosed with a narrow neck I advise that you avoid permanent planting or use a removable plastic pot within the terracotta pot. Otherwise the roots will grow into the ‘belly’ of the vessel making the plant extremely difficult to remove.

Even in straight pots, do be aware of favourites such as Agapanthus and Phormium. These plants produce very strong roots than can, if left to their own devices, split a pot. It's far better to grab a hori-hori and to split the plant.

Location

Never stand your pot on bare earth. Being porous, the bottom few inches will soak up the moisture. Frost playing on permanently wet terracotta may not be in the best long-term interests of your pot.

For any matters that you're not sure about, get in touch.

Colour

Please note that the mineral-rich Galestro clay used to craft our Italian pots naturally results in subtle colour variations, making each piece unique.

When multiple pots are ordered, I always take great care to select pairs or groups with the closest possible match. If there is ever any uncertainty regarding availability or colour consistency in the Yard, I will contact you for approval before packing your order.

Dimensions

Each pot is hand-thrown on a wheel - a skilled and time-honoured process. As a result of this traditional method, subtle variations in size and form are to be expected, making every piece unique. I recommend using the dimensions provided as a guide. When ordering multiple pots, I will always take great care to select the best-matched pairs or groups for you.