DIY Porch Pot Kits: A Winter Strategy Garden Centers Can Actually Count On

When fall’s golden hues give way to winter’s frosty calm, garden centers face one of their biggest challenges of the year - keeping sales strong as planting season slows. The good news? There’s a creative, profitable way to keep your customers engaged through the colder months: DIY porch pot kits.

These seasonal kits allow customers to create their own decorative containers filled with evergreens, berries, and seasonal accents. They bring nature’s beauty right to the doorstep and keep garden centers relevant long after the last flower bed has been tucked in for winter.

At Oasis® Forage Products™, we’ve seen how a well-designed garden center DIY kit program can turn slow months into growth opportunities. Here’s how to transform your porch pot displays into a reliable revenue stream that delights your customers.

Quick takeaway: why porch pot kits win in winter

• They create a reason to visit and buy when planting slows.
• They bundle multiple items into one higher-value purchase.
• They generate shareable customer results for social proof.
• They scale from retail to workshops and wholesale.

Why DIY Porch Pot Kits Work

DIY kits offer a blend of convenience, creativity, and connection. Customers love hands-on projects that let them personalize decor while learning new skills. For garden centers, these kits are an easy way to boost off-season engagement and sales.

The Benefits for Garden Centers

• Year-Round Revenue: Keep cash flow steady between planting seasons.

• Customer Retention: Encourage repeat visits with seasonal product launches.

• Increased Average Order Value: Offer kit add-ons like lights, bows, or floral foam.

• Marketing Opportunities: Showcase completed kits on social media to inspire others.

By developing a holiday planter kit wholesale program, you can also supply other local businesses, gift shops, or landscapers, expanding your reach beyond retail customers.

High-margin add-ons customers happily say yes to

• LED micro-lights and timers
• Weatherproof ribbon and bows
• Extra evergreen bundles for fuller pots
• Ornament picks and berry clusters
• Pre-cut twig bundles (red twig dogwood, birch, pinecones)
• Floral foam and mechanics for stability

Creating a Garden Center DIY Kit Program

Launching your own garden center DIY kit program doesn’t need to be complicated. It just takes thoughtful planning, clear packaging, and inspiring presentation.

1. Choose Seasonal Themes

Offer a mix of designs for different customer preferences and occasions. Examples include:

• Autumn Harvest Pots: Featuring ornamental kale, mums, and wheat stems.

• Winter Evergreen Porch Pots: Using cedar, pine, and red twig dogwood.

• Holiday Welcome Kits: Complete with ribbons, pinecones, and LED lights.

Rotate your kits seasonally to encourage return customers and maintain interest.

Simple seasonal kit calendar you can reuse every year

• Late fall: harvest textures, warm tones, dried accents
• Early winter: evergreen focus, outdoor durability, bold structure
• Holiday: lights, ribbon, pinecones, gift-ready packaging
• Post-holiday: neutral winter greens, berries, natural twigs

2. Simplify with Pre-Assembled Components

Each kit should include everything the customer needs:

• A decorative container or pot

• Pre-measured floral foam or soil base

• Selected greenery or stems

• Decorative accessories (ribbons, ornaments, pinecones)

Include a simple instruction card outlining how to assemble the arrangement using Oasis® Forage Foam and supplies.

Instruction card content (copy-ready for your kit insert)

1. Secure your base. Place foam or soil base snugly in the container so it does not shift.
2. Build structure first. Add cedar or pine around the perimeter to create a full “skirt.”
3. Add height. Insert dogwood, birch, or focal branches to establish your silhouette.
4. Layer accents. Add berry picks, pinecones, and decorative stems where you want emphasis.
5. Finish with details. Add ribbon and lights last so they sit on top and feel intentional.

Tip: Step back twice during the build. Porch pots look best when they feel natural and slightly asymmetrical.

3. Price for Profit

Balance accessibility with perceived value. Calculate costs by factoring in materials, packaging, and staff time. Offer tiered pricing such as:

• Standard Kit: Basic container and greens

• Premium Kit: Additional accents, lights, and tools

• Workshop Bundle: Includes access to an in-store or virtual class

These options make it easier for customers to choose based on their interest level and budget.

Pricing guardrails that protect margin

• Keep the Standard kit simple and repeatable so staff time stays low.
• Make Premium feel visibly fuller and more finished at first glance.
• Use Workshop bundles to move more product per customer without “discounting.”
• Pre-bundle add-ons so upgrades feel easy, not like extra decisions.

How to Sell Porch Pot Kits Effectively

1. Visual Merchandising

Create a dedicated display area that feels like an inspiration zone. Showcase completed porch pots at the front of your store, with kit components displayed nearby for easy grab-and-go shopping.

Use natural lighting, baskets, and signage that emphasizes creativity and convenience.

Merchandising checklist for a porch pot “inspiration zone”

• One completed “hero” porch pot at eye level
• Two kit tiers shown side-by-side (Standard vs Premium)
• Add-ons grouped in one small basket area for quick upgrades
• Instruction card visible so shoppers feel confident
• Photogenic backdrop so customers want to share their build

2. Online and In-Store Promotion

Promote your kits on your website and social media with phrases like:

• “Create your own winter porch pot at home!”

• “Everything you need for seasonal curb appeal in one kit.”

Include tutorials or quick videos demonstrating how to use Oasis® Forage Foam and tools to build arrangements that last through the cold.

Content ideas that sell kits without feeling salesy

• A 30-second “build in layers” reel: greens, height, accents, ribbon, lights
• Before/after porch photo carousel from a single kit
• Customer spotlight: one kit, three different styles
• Short tips: how to keep pots looking fresh outdoors

3. Host Demonstrations and Workshops

Combine your garden center DIY kit program with in-person experiences. Invite customers to attend “build your own porch pot” sessions. Workshops create community, generate buzz, and help sell additional kits.

Holiday Planter Kit Wholesale Opportunities

Wholesale partnerships can take your kits from a local success to a scalable business model. Offer holiday planter kit wholesale bundles to:

• Local gift boutiques and home decor shops

• Real estate agents looking for client gifts

• Corporate offices and hospitality venues

Position your garden center as the creative supplier behind custom porch pot designs that enhance entryways and storefronts all season long.

Consider offering private labeling for wholesale buyers who want branded options, using your materials and Oasis® Forage Products™ for quality assurance.

Wholesale offer structure that feels premium

• Three kit sizes: Small entry, Standard, Statement
• Optional brand card or hang tag for private label buyers
• Simple reorder system: same kits, same SKU set each season
• Photo pack: 3 to 5 images buyers can use to sell the kits

How to Sell Porch Pot Kits Online

Adding an e-commerce option for your kits increases accessibility and convenience. Offer kits through your website with clear photography, descriptions, and optional delivery.

Highlight product benefits like:

• “All-in-one design convenience”

• “Freshly sourced materials”

• “Easy, guided creativity”

Bundle your kits with essential items like Oasis® Forage DIY Floral Supplies to encourage upsells.

Include QR codes on packaging linking to how-to videos hosted on your social channels. These small touches elevate your brand and increase the likelihood of repeat customers.

Product page bullets that help customers click “Add to cart”

• Everything included, no guessing
• Designed to look full and natural outdoors
• Step-by-step instruction card included
• Optional add-ons for lights and finishing touches
• Great for gifting and seasonal curb appeal

Marketing Ideas for Your Garden Center DIY Kit Program

Collaborate Locally

Partner with local cafes, home boutiques, or community centers for cross-promotions or pop-up events.

Offer Subscription Kits

Encourage repeat business with a seasonal subscription service that delivers porch pot materials each fall and winter.

Create Gift Options

Design kits as holiday gifts complete with branded ribbons and message cards. Position them as perfect presents for homeowners, families, or creative hobbyists.

Use Email Marketing

Send regular newsletters featuring seasonal kit ideas, customer photos, and special offers. Use these touchpoints to remind customers that your garden center is their go-to for seasonal creativity.

Simple email flow to sell porch pot kits (4 sends)

• Announcement: kits are here, show the hero photo
• How-to: quick build steps, highlight add-ons
• Social proof: customer photos, staff favorite combos
• Last call: workshop dates, limited materials reminder

Turning Creativity into Consistency

The real success behind selling porch pot kits lies in creating a system that can repeat and scale. Once your initial program is running smoothly, use customer feedback to refine each season. Update designs, adjust materials, and highlight sustainability through foraged materials and recyclable containers.

Your goal should be to make your garden center synonymous with seasonal creativity - a destination for customers who crave hands-on design experiences year-round.

Oasis® Products That Make It Possible

Oasis® Forage Products™ offers everything needed to support your DIY kit program and ensure customer success. Explore these essentials:

• Oasis® Floral Foam for long-lasting arrangements

• Flower Arranging Supplies for professional results

• DIY Floral Kits for ready-to-build inspiration

Using Oasis® products ensures consistency, hydration, and stability in every seasonal creation your customers design.

Industry Inspiration

• Green Profit: DIY Retail Trends

• Garden Center Magazine: Seasonal Retail Opportunities

• Canadian Florist: Creative Seasonal Merchandising