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Making Hypertufa

After reading articles about Hypertufa for years,  we decided to try making some for ourselves... when I say we, I mean Buzz.  I got my hands in it a few times, but can't take any credit for all the experimenting he did.  


Making Hypertufa 
(a lightweight concrete)
I'll share a couple of Buzz's many recipes...
(most of the ingredients can be found at your local hardware store)
 This basic recipe worked great for small containers
and gave the the planters a natural look that we liked.


Mix the dry ingredients, then slowly add  water.  
The mixture should form in your hand when you squeeze it... 
not to dry,  not to wet.    
   

Our forms were simple containers we had around the house, and Buzz built the wooden ones for stepping stones.  

To keep the Hypertufa from sticking to our plastic containers, we sprayed the inside with a cooking spray, and the wooden frames were built so that they could be taken apart after the Hypertufa cured.  


When the Hypertufa is molded, wrap it in plastic and let it cure for up to three days before removing it from it's form.  If you get in a hurry, you'll most likely damage your hard work. 

 We used this recipe for Larger containers:
(this recipe makes a stronger &  heavier product)
4 Parts Portland Cement
4 Parts Peat Moss
4 Parts Medium Sand
4 Parts Perlite
and a hand full of fiber (like fiber glass)

Our Stock Pile!


This assortment represents variations of our basic recipe...
Lots of Trial and Error  
We highly recommend starting small.


This little garden ornament was formed in a 
shell dish from the thrift store.

 (now living in our Master Bathroom)

The possibilities are endless!



Have some FUN with Hypertufa!

~

For more inspiration,
visit my 
Pinterest Board 

Link

Comments

  1. Wouldn't they make wonderful gifts for friends who love gardening? Now you've got me thinking.

    Those moss covered orbs are so fun! I remember a gardening show where they had a recipe (with composted manure) to make moss grow quickly on planters and such. I may have to Google it.

    Spring seems a long way off, when we are getting a major snowstorm tonight across MN. I just may get my snow day after all!

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  2. Hi Geneva, Thanks for the recipe for the hypertufa. They look great. I might have to try making some this summer.

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  3. Thank you for sharing this! I'm gonna give it a try myself!

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  4. Geneva, I didn't know anything about these til your post. I love these!
    Congratulations - You've been given the Versatile Blogger award! Please visit my blog to learn more about it:
    http://anevergratefulheart.blogspot.com/2012/02/versatile-blogger-award.html

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  5. This is so neat...I have never heard of it. You (Buzz) did a great job! ;) I love the look, Geneva. Thank you for sharing!

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  6. Wow! These are totally cool. Thank you for sharing this neat idea!

    ~Liz

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  7. Very cool! I've been checking out hypertufa for a long while as well. Your stuff came out really well! I love the garden balls too. We have some of them in terracotta, but I always worry about them getting broken or damaged in the winter if I leave them outside.

    I'd love for you to stop by my blog some time and link up your garden projects on Fridays

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  8. Very creative work. Thanks for the recipe. They look wonderful.

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  9. These are really pretty. Thanks for linking up to Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style!
    Mary

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  10. Wonderful! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  11. These are great! I will be pinning this and hopefully will make some this summer!

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  12. Hello again Geneva,
    I am dropping by to thank you for sharing this fantastic DIY gardening project on The Country Homemaker blog hop last year. I wanted to share with you that this post was the 6th most popular post of the entire year!

    http://mysimplecountryliving.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-country-homemaker-hop-53.html

    Thanks again.
    Heidi

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