Make sure the switch is in the “on” position and that you’ve removed the solar panel and placed it in direct sun for a minimum of 10 hours and up to 24 hours to get a full charge. The typical “glow” time is between 3-5 hours under optimal conditions. For additional instructions and trouble-shooting, view our PDF.

The rechargeable batteries that came with the product will last for about 12 months. Make sure you replace them with only rechargeable Aa Ni-CD 600m AH 1.2V batteries. Please refer to the instructions for further details. If after replacing the batteries, the light does not go on, contact our Customer Service Department.

Use a damp paper towel to wipe the glass until the cloudiness disappears.

No. Heavy rain, ice and snow may cause damage. We advise moving the product away from wet weather conditions.

The rechargeable batteries that come with the product under normal circumstances may last about 12 months. The first step to trouble-shooting is to replace the rechargeable batteries as they may not hold a charge any longer. Look for Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable AA batteries found at many retailers or online. We do not guarantee battery life, nor do we replace batteries.

Excess water may spill-over an attached saucer or come through the drainage hole. Ceramic planters and saucers, if unglazed, are porous and may absorb water over time. This may result in “sweating”.

As a precaution, we recommend adding a layer of protection underneath the planter to prevent water rings, stains, or scratches. Cork pads offer an easy and inexpensive solution, and are available at many garden centers and hardware stores in a variety of sizes. It is important to monitor your planter for moisture. If your planter can easily be moved, we recommend watering the plant in a sink or outside. Then place it back in its spot once the water has dripped out completely.

No, our planters are not food safe and should not be used for baking or handling food.

We do not sell our products direct to consumers. Our products are available at retailers across the US and Canada.

1. Remove the dish and nestle the base of the birdbath a couple of inches below soil level, in a flowerbed or open ground.
2. Once set into the ground, mound a little soil back around the base of the birdbath’s pedestal. This will allow the base to hold soil, while also allowing healthy water drainage.
3. Next, fill the pedestal with commercial potting soil, roughly level with the topmost planter pockets. Compact the soil a bit as you fill, to make sure the pedestal is filled evenly and without gaps.
   • Consider selecting a potting soil that includes slow release plant food and moisture-retaining crystals, which helps give plants a good head start. Now you’re ready to plant!
4. Flowers are a great choice.  Anywhere from one to three of the individual plants found in a grower’s 6-pack can be planted in each pocket. Make sure to gently place each plant so that the roots face inward, towards the column of soil inside the birdbath’s pedestal. In the beginning, it might seem like the pedestal holds a lot of soil for such small plants, but as the plants grow, the pedestal will provide generous room for roots to grow, which in turn will allow your plants to thrive.
5. Once your plants are placed into the pockets, add a little extra soil to fill each pocket, up to roughly an inch below the lip of the pocket. Tamp down lightly, to secure the plants and reduce any gaps in the soil.
6. Next add water. With the birdbath dish still removed, you can give the soil a good drenching from above.
7. Next put the dish in place. You can add water to the birdbath dish, as well as add water to the pockets. Water added to the pockets will in turn drain down into the soil in the pedestal, providing moisture to all the plants.
8. Periodically remove the dish to rinse it out. This is also a good opportunity to give the soil in the pedestal a good drink of water, especially in hot, dry weather.
   • Removing the dish isn’t absolutely necessary for future watering. You can always add water to the whole pedestal planter, by adding water to the pockets.

Pre Planting Preparation: 

The Sunrise Tower is best installed on level ground, directly in contact with open soil. The Tower should not be set on paved or hardscaped surfaces. To prepare the site, make sure the area is free of any large rocks or debris. Till / rake the soil where you plan to place the Tower and then seat the tower securely on top of the level, tilled soil. Using the stakes provided, drive the stakes into the ground, to secure the Tower in place. 

Make sure the provided Fiber Liner is securely in place, inside the Tower before adding planting mix to the inside of the Tower. You will be adding planting mix from the top of the Tower, so the Water Basin should not be attached to the Tower while you are adding planting mix. 

Begin filling your Tower with planting mix. Add a light sprinkling of water as you fill and periodically tamp down the soil, to provide a secure planting medium. Continue until your Tower is roughly one-third filled with planting mix. Now, let’s plant! 

Planting Instructions: 

1. We recommend starting towards the bottom, with your largest and heaviest plants, with smaller plants and cascading plants placed towards the top of the Tower.
2. Prep your plant as you would for any type of transplanting, by gently removing the plant from its current pot and lightly tapping away any loose or excess soil.
3. Using scissors or garden shears, cut a SMALL “X” shape in the fiber liner of the Tower, where you wish to add your first plant. The “X” cut should be just large enough to insert the root ball of the plant. NOTE: it’s best to start with a small cut and then adjust by making the opening slightly larger if needed.
4. Gently guide the plant’s root ball through the “X” opening and settle the roots into the planting mix within the Tower. Then gently close up the flaps of the “X” to secure the plant in place.
5. Continue to plant the remainder of the Tower. When the lower third of the Tower is planted, you can continue to plant the remainder of the Tower now or do so later.
6. Adding water periodically (from above) while planting will help keep plants hydrated while transplanting and will also make the soil heavier and “stickier” and hold the new plants more securely in place.
7. As the plants’ roots grow over the following days and weeks, they will knit themselves more securely into the soil. 

 

As a general plant selection tip, if you plan to grow edibles, try “companion planting” naturally pest-repelling herbs such as parsley and mint alongside your veggies to discourage insects and other garden pests. Plant lettuces, strawberries, and other tender edibles towards the top of the Tower, to keep them elevated and protected. 

As the season progresses and the weather warms, try replacing the cool season lettuces with cherry tomato plants, in small-scale hybrid varieties, such as “Tiny Tim”. These are often referred to as “patio” cherry tomatoes because they are well-suited to grow in containers. 

For a burst of color and nutrition, try growing rainbow chard in your tower. It’s one of the easiest vegetables to grow and is as ornamental as it is delicious. These can be grown anywhere on the tower and are a great way to quickly fill in gaps between plants. By harvesting just the outer leaves and leaving the main plant intact, you can control the size of the plants and keep harvesting over a longer period. 

To extend the life of the pot and to minimize fading and antiquing, we recommend the following after bringing your new planter home.