There are several easy techniques for aging your clay pots, each with a different color, to ensure your clay pots mesh seamlessly with the rest of your outdoor decor.

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1. Step 1

   Grow moss on your clay pot. In a food processor, blend one cup of plain yogurt with live, active cultures, one cup of moss from the craft store or garden center, two tablespoons of water and a half-teaspoon of sugar into a thick paste. Lightly sand the surface of your clay pot, and then apply a thick coat of the mixture to your pot.

2. Step 2

   Place the pot in full sun for one day, then place it in your garden. Make sure the mixture doesn’t dry out. If it is becoming too dry, place some water in the pot so it can soak through to the moss. The moss will feed on the yogurt mixture and begin to grow over the whole surface of your pot, giving it an aged look.

Martha Stewart uses Buttermilk….

Best of all these aging and antiquing techniques do not take a lot of time or money. You can easily complete e any of these antiquing techniques for less than $10. Your terra cotta pots will look more expensive and a lot older after these easy DIY projects.

Wood Stain/ Gel Stain

Wood stain is a fabulously easy way to add some character and antiqued look to new terra cotta pots. I like to use either gel wood stain or liquid wood stain. A darker color like a plantation walnut is perfect for this project.

Simply dip an old t-shirt or sponge into the wood stain (or squeeze some gel stain onto the t-shirt). Wipe the stain onto your terra cotta pot. You will need to work quickly; you do not want your edge of stain to dry. Rub the stain in and then wipe any excess off. If you are using liquid stain you can apply it to your terra cotta pots with a paintbrush.

The more coats of wood stain you apply the more antiqued your terra cotta pots will look. This is a great technique for terra cotta pots with designs imprinted on them. The stain will rest in any indentations and highlight the raised areas.

Add a beautiful fern to your terra cotta pot and you have a timeless look in the garden.

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