I devised a solution that has kept them where they are supposed to be for over two years now. It’s pretty simple so anyone can really do it. I have three large pots in a grouping in my yard but this method will work on any number of pots.

First, determine where you will want the pot (or pots) to go. Draw a circle on the ground around the base of each pot. Now, place the pot off to the side and using the outline you just drew, dig a circular hole about one foot deep. Using a five gallon plastic bucket, mix around a half of the bucket full of cement.

Pour the cement into the hole so it’s about half way full. Next you will need to place one end of a length of chain into the cement. The chain should be long enough that if you were to pull it tight, it would stick out of the top of the hole at least 6 inches. You can hold the chain up tight while the cement is drying by threading a dowel or wire through one of the links and then bracing the dowel or wire over the hole.

Once the cement has dried, fill in the rest of the hole with soil. The only thing you should see now is a short length of chain sticking out of the ground. Now you can move the pot back in place and you will have to thread the chain up through the drain hole in the bottom of your pot.

To secure the garden pot, I used a carabiner that I picked up at a camping supply store and looped it through the link that kept the chain tight and the pot firmly to the ground. You can use whatever you want instead of a carabiner to hold it in place.

I then filled the pots about three quarters of the way full with dirt. This not only adds weight but also keeps anyone from simply removing the carabiner and taking the pot. This method should be enough to deter anyone from messing with your garden pots.

If you want to intentionally draw the eye to a particular spot, don’t be afraid to use a bolder color (such as deep red). By placing brightly colored flowers in and around the pot, you will also help it to blend in. Image if you had an all green garden with a big bright yellow pot stuck in the middle. All your focus would be pointed at the pot and not the plants.

Another way to use garden pots is to clump small to mid-sized pots together into groups. This will also draw your eye to these areas. You will have a lot of flexibility with grouped pots. You can use different sizes, shapes and colors to make a drab area more interesting. To blend in the group, the same techniques used for a large garden pot applies. Be sure to plant in between the pots as well.

If you happen to have a large garden pot that is cracked on the bottom, you can either cut the bottom off with a hand-held tile cutter or dig a hole large enough to accommodate the pot and stick the pot in so it is buried half way into the ground. This is a good way to add a mid level to your garden which can lead the eye from taller pots to lower ground cover.