Lime Washed Pots

I use this easy 'lime wash' finish on terracotta pots when I want to speed up the 'aging' process and make them look as though they belong in a cottage garden by the sea.

Seal pots inside and out, you'll find sealer at any good gardening store. Grab a small bag of garden lime as well as a tube each of artists acrylic paint in colours White and Raw Umber. You could also use a dash of Paynes Grey or even Celadon for a mineral blue green effect.

Mix a little water with the lime, it should feel like wet sand. Use a brush to apply it around the pot then use the same brush to pick up a little of each of the paints, one colour at a time and dab these here and there blending as you go. When the pots are dry use fine sandpaper to lightly rub over and remove the excess lime. Tie with garden string for decoration and they'll be ready for planting.