DIY Hypertufa Planters

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - It's never to early to imagine the first buds of spring turning into flowers right in your garden. Debbie Hamm, owner of Blueberry Hill Gardens & Landscapes in Monson, showed us how to make a Hypertufa Planter.

Materials:

• 3-(2) Peat Moss
• 3-(2) Perlite, Sand or Vermiculite
• 2-(1) Portland Cement
• Wide Mouth Measuring Container
• Wheelbarrow or Plastic Tub (for mixing the materials)
• Water
• Rubber Gloves
• Mask
• Trowel or Hoe
• Container, (to be used as a mold)
• Plastic or Cooking Spray (to line the mold)
• Wooden Dowels (to make drainage holes)

Prepare the Mixture:
Put on rubber gloves, mask and eye protection.  Mix together 3 parts Perlite, 3 parts Peat Moss and 2 parts Portland Cement in a wheelbarrow or tub.  For a planter more than 2' long, add a handful of fiber mesh, (a concrete reinforcing agent.)  This will give the mixture more strength.   Mix the dry ingredients well.  Next add water.  Moisten the mixture with just enough water to allow the ingredients to form a clump. (If too much water is added, no worries, add the above ingredients, in proportions, until preferred consistency is reached.)    

Create the Planter:
Cover the inside of the mold with plastic (or spray with oil) to ensure easy release.  The lines and folds of the bag will help imitate the look of stone on your planter.  Press the mixture into the mold beginning with the bottom, then working up the sides evenly all the way around, keeping it at least  1" to 1 ½" thick.  Place wooden dowels in bottom to create drainage holes.  Gather up excess plastic bag over top of planter.  Place in cool shady spot for 5 to 7 days; the slower the cure, the stronger the planter.  To slow down the curing process, mist the mixture every day.

Turn the Planter Into Stone:
After the cement has hardened, turn over the mold to dump out planter and remove the plastic.  Remove dowels, if the holes are not quite big enough, you can gently enlarge them with a screwdriver or electric drill.  Brushing the sides with a wire brush will enhance the lines and folds and to deepen any cracks.  Allow the hypertufa to set for another week.  During this time, spray the container with water to remove excessive lime deposits on the surface before planting it up.

To encourage algae and moss, gather moss from your garden, place in blender with water, than brush on container.  Dyes can be added to cement during the mixing process, while in the dry stage.  Stones, tiles, sea glass, etc… can be used as decoration.