Rodos Cretan Terracotta Vase
Pickup available at Tom's Yard
Usually ready in 24 hours
Description
The Rodos Cretan terracotta pot is a signature Tom's Yard Pot. It's unusual shape is totally unique.
Each terracotta clay pot is hand-thrown using traditional methods, then fired in a kiln over 3 days at temperatures reaching up to 1200 Celsius. The terracotta clay is carefully crafted to be both durable and long lasting, making our clay pots perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
The Rodos clay pot features two handles and completely smooth sides and has an organic shape and texture. This terracotta pot provides a timeless beauty that can be continually enjoyed as accent pieces that are great for filling in gaps and standing within borders. Hand-made and frost hardy to -20°C. Read more about the process below.
Some clients have even referred to this terracotta pot as a Cretan milk churn!
Nationwide Delivery
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.
''Cash & Carry'' Discounts
To remain competitive on our prices, we are pleased to introduce our new Cash & Carry programme.
This offers discounts on terracotta pots purchased directly in the Yard and taken away on the day, or at a later date:-
- 10% discount on orders below £100
- 15% discount on orders below £500
- 20% discount on orders above £501
Payment can be made by card or bank transfer (bank transfer preferred). Cash payments are also accepted; however, please note that we do not keep petty cash on-site and therefore cannot guarantee change.
Contact us to arrange your visit or book online.
Pot Care & Frost
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.
Colour & Dimensions Disclaimer
Colour
Please note that the mineral-rich clay used to craft our Cretan 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.
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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. We recommend using the dimensions provided as a guide. When ordering multiple pots, we will always take great care to select the best-matched pairs or groups for you.
Hand-Thrown Ancient Pots
First introduced to the UK in the 1980s, Cretan pots quickly became a favourite with garden lovers. Their rich, warm tones are unlike traditional British pots, and the unique firing process gives them exceptional durability, allowing them to withstand British winters for decades.
The heritage of pottery production in Crete dates back over 5,000 years to the Minoan civilisation. Large open-neck vessels known as Pithoi were used to store grain, oil and wine, with hundreds housed in the great palaces like Knossos.
Today, this remarkable craft continues, with Cretan pots still made using traditional methods. Loved by Designers and cherished by home owners, they weather beautifully in the British climate.
Pots used by
