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Not long ago I saw some very cool, modern concrete planters that I added to my DIY To Do List. Not long afterwards the lovely folks over at Timber Press sent me a copy of Concrete Garden Projects: Easy & Inexpensive Containers, Furniture, Water Features & More
The projects in the book are great starting points for concrete projects that will suit many different garden styles. In addition to modern planters we made some leaf print stepping stones: some in moulds with pressed leaves and one where we used a giant hydrangea leaf as the mould.
The authors, Malin Nilsson and Camilla Arvidsson, layed out each project in six simple steps which were easy to follow, especially easy given each step has a beautiful photograph. The best part was the ease and speed at which you can create concrete projects; we had seven planters and seven stepping stones curing within an hour of arriving home with the materials.
For the planters, we used a variety of different sized plastic tubs that we collected. I filled my three square tubs with concrete and used round tubs and cups for the holes. I then filled the some of the larger hole-spacers with concrete and a small cup so each would produce yet another planter.
I particularly loved how this one square planter turned out when planted with sedum.
The stepping stones were also formed in plastic tubs, but larger, shallower ones. We pressed interesting leaves found around the garden (lady’s mantle, Japanese maple, and hosta) and weighted them with small stones. When un-moulded, they have depressions that will hopefully fill with little pools of water or perhaps moss.
Near the end, we took the left over concrete and piled it in a mound on top of a giant hosta leaf. When nestled into the shade garden it is right at home with the hosta who donated a leaf for the mould.
It was so surprisingly easy to make stepping stones that I’m happy to say that my days of hunting for rocks in rivers and back alleys might just be over (insert grinning husband here). I would certainly recommend the book to anyone looking for a fun and creative way to spend a sunny afternoon in the garden.
Awesome, Stevie! I love DIY projects! Just featured you in my Monday Miscellany post. I loved your canning labels, too – have definitely bookmarked them for future use.
These are such a great idea – inspired!!
What about drainage for plants?
Hi Liz, great question. You could drill a hole after they are cured, set a plastic straw in the bottom when setting up the mould, or size the opening for a plastic pot to set in. I choose none of those options purposely as I wanted to use them indoors or out and didn’t feel I needed drainage. I planted them with drought tolerant sedum and they sit under cover, so for me, they work just fine to water every once and a while when I’m out in the garden.
do you use something as a release agent. i cant get my center out.
Hi Kathy, I brushed the entire mould with oil so they popped out pretty well. In a few places where it stuck a bit, I just gave it a few good womps with the heel of my hand until it came out.
Stevie
Really attractive! As an old Australian colloquialism goes “you could have knocked me over with a feather” when I looked at this project. Much MUCH nicer than I could have imagined and something that my poor long suffering husband is going to take great delight in assisting me with. No more long trips to the beach to pilfer rocks and suffer the green lamentations of his wife (along the lines of Homer Simpson eating his pet lobster Pinchy…) as she stuck them into her plant pots whilst feeling incredibly guilty and delighted at the same time. Cheers for this, I am enthused and invigorated by the idea of being able to use concrete (ugly) and make these planters and faux stones (lovely). I do believe this site is almost to the point of being subscribed to…
I have purchased the book.
Weather permitting I am starting with my first projects after Easter.
For drainage in the bottom I will be using wine bottle corks. Let’s see how this works.
Any thoughts on how to make some concrete orbs? Would like some the size of a gazing ball to tuck here and there in the garden. They would be so pretty with moss or snow on them.
Hi Cindi, check out this tutorial http://www.designsponge.com/2009/07/diy-project-shannons-decorative-concrete-garden-balls.html.
Stevie
I made this project this weekend. A couple of comments. It worked out pretty well but i worked on it near the hose which is on my beautiful brick patio. When I poured the bag of concert mix into the big bin I was using to mix so much dust flew up that it got on the patio and stayed there when I hosed it off. I was afraid to ruin the lawn. Do you think I could work on this on my lawn without ruining that too?
I thought the cemment came out a bit too white. Could I put something additional into the quick mix?
and last I have been searching high and low for the fluted silicone cake pan in the book and can not find it. Any ideas? thanks for posting this, it is nice to see what other have done.
Hi Mary Lou. Here are some answers for you:
1. I wouldn’t do the concrete mixing on the grass. I suggest you put a tarp or drop cloth down on your bricks, or use a wheelbarrow. It will hose off just fine if you are sure to do it as soon as you finish.
2. There are cement colorants you can buy. Here is a charcoal one: http://amzn.to/JKmJt5, here is terra cotta http://amzn.to/KG0ju9
3. Here is a silicone cake pan: http://amzn.to/JKmtKD; here is a non-stick one: http://amzn.to/Kfknlh
Thanks for your comments Stevie. The links to the fluted pans you suggested have centers in them. I was looking for the one shown in the book which is more like a large cupcake pan. If anyone could provide a link to that one, I would be delighted. Stevie, have you heard of anyone adding vermiculite to the cement mix? Seems like alot of fun variations to this project. thanks again
These look fantastic! I’ve been wanting to make some for sometime, maybe I just get to it soon.
I really like the square one with the offset round in it, that’s my favorite.
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