Martha Stewart: Make your pots greener & add a patina

LIKE MANY objects of value, terra-cotta pots take on character as they age. The clay darkens, assuming a whitish cast from fertilizers and the minerals in water. When kept in the shade and watered frequently, the pots gradually acquire a verdant sheen of algae or moss. But you don't have to wait for that look. These six easy techniques help pots undergo a transformation within weeks.

Accelerate the appearance of white deposits by filling the pot with a highly concentrated fertilizer solution for a few weeks.

Tools and materials: wine cork, candle and water-soluble fertilizer

Directions: Plug pot's drainage hole with a wine cork. (A standard cork will fit a 10-inch pot perfectly. For smaller pots, whittle the cork; for larger ones, slice additional corks to fit, and wedge in place.) Light candle. Let wax drip over cork on outside of pot to seal. Let cool.

Fill pot with water. (Hard water accelerates the aging process.) Add five times more fertilizer than package directions recommend. Stir until dissolved. Set aside until deposits appear. Replenish water as needed. The longer the pots sit, the more dramatic the effect. Remove water, wax and cork.

One of the most natural-looking patinas can be achieved by simply slathering plain yogurt on a new pot. For a subtler look, first soak pots in water for 15 minutes.

Tools and materials: plain yogurt and a 2-inch foam brush

Directions: Stir yogurt. Use brush to coat surface of pot with yogurt, covering it completely. Set aside in a shaded place until pot achieves the desired look, at least one month.

Combining buttermilk and moss to encourage moss growth is a common tactic. The moss serves to hold the runny buttermilk in place and vary the texture, as well as to promote growth.

Tools and materials: moss (or sheet moss), buttermilk and 2-inch foam brush

Directions: If you've gathered your own moss, remove as much soil as possible. Tear moss into small pieces, removing materials such as bark and pine needles.

Pour buttermilk into a bowl, add moss, and combine. Use brush to paint the mixture over pot. Set aside in a shaded place until pot achieves the desired look. If necessary, use a metal-bristle brush to remove any heavy clumps of moss.

To make a pot appear as if it had been unearthed in an archaeological dig, apply soil found in your backyard. Moist soils with high clay content are ideal.

Tools and materials: clay soil and flexible wire brush

Directions: Rub soil over surface of pot, moistening the soil with a little water if it doesn't stick. Place pot in a shaded area for at least one month while soil bonds. Brush pot to create a varied, textured surface.

The lime solution quickly tones down the harsh orange of many new pots.

Tools and materials: hydrated lime (available at hardware stores), natural-bristle paintbrush, spray bottle, and 150-grit sandpaper

Directions: Dissolve 1 cup hydrated lime in 2 cups water, stirring until no clumps remain. (You can make varying quantities of the solution, but always use 1 part lime to 2 parts water.)Using random strokes, brush pot with lime solution, applying thickly in some areas, and thinly in others to simulate the subtle streaks of old pots.

Fill spray bottle with water, set it on the "stream" setting, and coat pot in various spots while lime is still wet. This thins the coating for a more natural look. Let dry. Sand pot in random directions, wiping dust frequently, until you have achieved the desired look.

Soak a pot in a tub of water until algae grows on its surface. Be sure that vessels sit in bright locations and that water is replenished as it evaporates.

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