Boccaccio Italian Terracotta Wall Planter

Pallet Delivery

Standard England & Wales pallet delivery is automatically calculated at checkout.

This third-party, 9am - 5pm, weekday, kerbside service is £54 per pallet and is FREE on orders over £500. You can find out more information to do with the process & restrictions on this page.

Scottish, Irish & Island residents require a quote for delivery due to increased, non-standard charges.

Once your order has been received we will be in touch to arrange a convenient delivery date. We never dispatch orders without having first made contact.

If you are in a rush to receive your order, please speak with us before placing it. We typically work to a 5 > 10 day turnaround, allowing time for packing & transportation. However, there is a chance this can be fast-tracked depending on circumstances.

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Courier Service

We also offer a personal delivery method for customers requiring a more helpful service. This is not kerbside, so as long as there are no access restrictions around your garden, we - or our third-party go-to courier partner - aim to place your pots in-situ.

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

As a guide, you can generally work off a rule of £1 per mile from the Yard + VAT. Minimum charge is £30 + VAT.

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Collection

Collection is always available if you would like to visit the Yard. Get in touch about booking your appointment. We offer cash & carry discounts on sales made in the Yard.

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 we 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 our 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, we 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 our 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 we 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 advice on how to use terracotta pots within a border or lawn, get in touch with Thomas and he can advise.

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, we 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, we will contact you for approval before packing your order.