Mount Pleasant DC Forum

[Courtney]

Does anyone have any DIY suggestions for securing window boxes and planters? I'm at a loss.

I live in a basement apartment and found some beautiful flowers and plants that I'd like to put at the entrance to my apartment. However, when I tried the same thing four years ago, some kind soul stole my window box. The following weekend my terracotta planters were smashed in the street.

If no one has had problems with stolen pots, planters, etc. in recent days, I love to hear it and not have to worry about tactics to dissuade vandals.

Thanks in advance...

[Julia]

I've used plastic cable ties (connecting wire baskets/boxes or plastic pots to hanging chains and hanging chains to hooks).

I've also used simple chain for ceramic pots that have a drain hole in the bottom. I would run the chain into the bottom of the pot and just tie/attach it to a rock or something that won't go through the hole. Then run the chain through something and attach it to itself.

The key is to make it less easy to take - people who steal these rarely bring a pair of scissors let alone wire cutters. I've had someone try to yank at a pot to take it despite my anti-theft devices. But, they just broke the pot.

[Irving St & 17th]

Courtney- If you have a sound concrete surface that is not on public property you could get a decorative precast concrete planter and either epoxy or grout it to the concrete surface.

Our neighbors had a large & very heavy planter filled with flowers stolen from their front porch a few years ago, but haven't lost anything since.

Good luck.