Hypertufa projects are limited only by your imagination. exactly your results may differ. When I have felt the need for reinforcement, it has been after a project has broken in half, most commonly in the middle. Once you've added the water to your mix and have it mixed up a bit you can remove the goggles and dust mask. But assuming that is done, I'm just curious whether it can hold water without degradation over a relatively long period of time. They have all hardened up nicely. Pack the mixture around the object's sides, tamping it down firmly to bond the hypertufa to itself and avoid a crumbly texture. Drill through the corks to make the drainage holes in the base. Good question Clare! Basic Hypertufa Recipe A. Read more about ithere. Such a mixture results in a stronger tufa. These are the easiest to cut the cloth and it still isnt easy with them. measure each part using the same sized container). We have adapted the instructions for our project; you can find the full instructions in the article, Make a Hypertufa Trough. Its easy and incredibly inexpensive but takes quite a bit of time. Hypertufa is a light-weight substitute for heavy concrete or cement projects. called Portland cement. If your mix is too wet, add more dry ingredients until you reach the desired consistency. The Hypertufa How-To Manual by Claudia Brownlie. One advantage of this decorative hypertufa shell would be its insulating qualities. This is much safer than trying to drill holes into the hypertufa, which will easily crumble and split. What is that specifically? Yes, I'm wondering about that too as I've got several pieces of furniture in my mind to try. Reader, Joey Arrowood, says When doing the hands, I found that placing a small piece of cardboard between the fingers makes it easier to peel away the latex glove. Quikcrete Concrete Resurfacer vs Quikwall. Thank you for your time. I have explained this on some of my posts and pages, but the information gets confusing, I guess. Remember? Sand Builders sand is used by Set up work area. Get in on the best deals, new products and gardening tips. It can be as simple as, When I have felt the need for reinforcement, it has been after a project, Tin snips is the name that my husband calls the tool he uses to cut the hardware cloth. Did you not drive on it in a few days? Interested in learning more about making hypertufa and getting inspiration? Hypertufa is a type of pottery that has been used by gardeners for centuries. Thats why I put mine in a tent of plastic bags or garbage bags. It can also be made to look like weathered ancient stone artifacts. All of us want them to be durable and last for many years. How strong is hypertufa? I am unsure of which recipe to use? The corks will be left but the board should come away easily. (function() var __dcid = __dcid || []; For best results with hypertufa mix, the curing process is very important. Its challenging to gauge it, but it gets easier each time. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. A couple of friends and I gathered our ingredients and followed the recipe and directions below. Posted by wantmoreroses July 27, 2006. A buyer will always remember that yours fell apart its first winter season. I have only used it in large pieces and usually feel its most needed along the bottom so that is my usual placement. How to Break a Clay Pot for a Fairy Garden, All images and text on this site are copyrighted. The shady location under a tall tree is ideal for Japanese maple, fern (Asplenium tricomanes), mossy stones, dwarf liriope, and mini hostas. Mix your ingredients before adding water. Level the mix and tap to get rid of the bubbles. If the stones are intended solely for decoration, you can fill the entire mold with hypertufa. But that being said, I feel that two weeks gives a strong enough cure to work for a planter. Hypertufa is also about 2/3 the weight of concrete without compromising any of the strength of concrete when allowed to cure properly. Please see the section on Hypertufa How To - Safety before you start. Hypertufa. Copyright 2023 by ContainerWaterGardens.net. Is it cooking oil you spray on your cake pans? weight, but make sure you use a dust mask as the dust is harmful to It is made from a mixture of peat moss, Portland cement, and either sand, vermiculite, or perlite. Insert a smaller container inside the larger box, on top of the base layer of the concrete mixture. For other materials you might need a release agent. Once you have made your project or its pieces if it has to be assembled, there is the initial curing which is when the actual chemical process of the Portland cement working its "magic" to turn that pile of oatmeal or fudge into a solid rock. Are there any recommendations for curing? As for the peat moss, you want to pre-moisten it in a bucket or a container. Or can you use this to coat the outside of a plastic or metal horse trough (roughly 2x2x4) to change its appearance? Plant roots can push their way into cracks and crevices in the container, eventually causing them to break apart. Fill an old glove with hypertufa mix and arrange the fingers by placing the glove in a shallow bowl. mike Suggest you try and make some Mine hold water for a little while but eventually the water seeps though. Susan Romanoff is creative director at Gardener's Supply. It smelled good. The screen should have 5mm (1/16") It's made from clay, water, and sand mixed together to form a mold. For stepping stones you need the strength rather than the lightweight, though I did use hypertufa for my stepping stone and its lasted three years wonderfully. Add water to mix to a consistency Maybe you feel that if you speed up the process you can have a lot to sell at an upcoming sales festival of some kind. 2023 FleaMarketGardening.org - S.Langley. Hypertufa is a versatile and strong material that you can mold into your desired shape. Unhappy with Porcelain Tile Grout in Shower, how to fix cracked grout? Use a mix of 1:1:1 of the first Just as I wrote in my first post "work the mix to bring the "cream" to the surface. After curing you can use wood rasps, chisels, etc to shape your objects since hypertufa has no pebbles or sand in it. Tuck a tufa planter into the edge of a pond or water garden and add a colorful red cobra pitcher plant. My huge T Rex trough that I made a few years back had the hardware cloth also in the sides since those sides were pretty tall. First of all, there are two steps to curing hypertufa. Add hypertufa mixture to molds and allow to cure for 1-2 days per tutorial you are following. See that list of alkaline-loving plants, eh? __dcid.push({"cid":"DigiCertClickID_SFr5kUQ7","tag":"SFr5kUQ7"}); Houzz utilise des cookies et d'autres technologies de suivi similaires pour personnaliser mon exprience utilisateur, me proposer du contenu pertinent et amliorer ses produits et services. Hypertufa is a lightweight, porous material used in craft projects. For mixing the ingredients, the use of a garden hand trowel, concrete trowel and a shovel is advisable. You can also pack it into a mold (instead of pouring the mix, like you would with cement. The Hypertufa Gardeners Library of Printables. Mostly, though, you can see why it is preferred just by looking at the finished product. Do not use Quikrete or any other fast concrete mix. Low-maintenance plants include sedum (in bunny), dwarf heuchera, selaginella, and hosta (clockwise). Since this chemical reaction occurring generates a small amount of heat, In my opinion, ten days to two weeks in the suitable amount of time for this cure. Find the printable hypertufa recipe here. Thanks so much for any help you can offer! And its easy to do! I can understand why the surface that's in contact with the water would have to be solid (as opposed to porous) to last. "Swirls", "fossils"? (Outside not inside so it wont affect the plants.) Oh my! In my case it is either the basement or in the yard under bushes etc. Those made with sand can last 20 years or more, but they are quite heavy. Growing no bigger than your palm, dwarf hostas excel in part-shade with creeping phlox, moss, baby's tears, and hens-and-chicks. Erie Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, La Marque Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Once we had all of our materials, it took about two hours to complete several containers. After leaching, I consider the hypertufa planter ready to plant up. In my opinion, ten days to two weeks in the suitable amount of time for this cure. Water plants tucked into a concrete bust include trailing bacopa for hair and a water lettuce bow. Other links on this site may lead to other affiliates that I'm involved with, at no extra cost to you. Slabs on ground (e.g. Is it necessary? Since then, I have not made any that huge until I made one this summer, but that is in a future video coming soon. Since this chemical reaction occurring generates a small amount of heat, the addition of extra heat is not good for the long-time durability of the piece. En cliquant sur Accepter , j'accepte l'utilisation des cookies telle qu'elle est dcrite plus en dtail dans la Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Sorry. Day 14: Rinse with vinegar to reduce alkalinity of cement. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Hypertufa was invented for use in alpine gardens. sphagnum peat moss. If you can, seal it back up and wait another 12-36 hours. ~~ Sue. When will those little blades or needles begin to poke through the edges? Now I just need to find a place to get a giant bag of perlite! Placing your pots on small supports (bricks, stones) off the ground can also help prevent water build up. These are the main reasons why hypertufa is often preferred over traditional cement mixes. It seems to create a lot of confusion about how to do this and for how long. Remember, the tighter you pack, the stronger your trough will be. But I have a whole big bunch of hypertufa planters to cure now. Use the same size container for all ingredients! The proportions we used were simple, one third each, Portland cement, peat moss and perlite. But the purpose is to create a tent to enable the process of curing to occur. Peal or brush off any remaining cardboard after curing if using for your forms. Thicker is better, especially for larger sized projects; you can get away with thinner walls on small projects like hypertufa pinch pots. You dont have to spray them. By the way, we found a big bag of perlite at Home Depot, a big hardware store ~~Sue, Cheryl and I pack the extra hypertufa mix into Zip-locs to make freeform bowls. Water lettuce and ribbon grass in background. Read more articles about Gardening Projects. 13 Comments Updated May 24, 2022 +11. I've been reading up a little on this material but havenever made anything with it. this contains sand which may impact the proportions. I try and forget them for this period because I get so impatient to have them ready. It can be as simple as fibers or as difficult as wire mesh such as hardware cloth or chicken wire or rebars, but for me, I dont use it on a regular basis. If you plant too soon the chemicals in the cement will kill the plants. It is advisable to always wear a dust mask and rubber gloves when working with Portland cement. Good luck and let me know how you do. Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in. I have found recipes for "stronger" hypertufa.. just not sure if anyone has any suggestions as to what works best. No sharp edges, no danger in applying it to your mixture or a hazardous appearance as the aging hypertufa erodes. We have discussions all the time in The Hypertufa Gardener Group on Facebook regarding the length of time that each hypertufa maker feels is the correct time to leave them cure. Maybe you have another suggestion. Cement and perlite dust is toxic and you don't want to breathe it in. Once you have made your project or its pieces if it has to be assembled, there is the initial curing which is when the actual chemical process of the Portland cement working its magic to turn that pile of oatmeal or fudge into a solid rock. Hypertufa is a strong, but lightweight concrete that's easily shaped with molds into containers, troughs and or by hand into figures, even leaves. Thanks you very much again!! Here are the essentials necessary for use in most hypertufa projects: Once your supplies are ready, you will need to know how to make hypertufa containers and other objects. When ready, the hypertufa should have the consistency of cookie dough and hold its shape when you squeeze it. I have immersed the hypertufa creations in bins of water after removing from moulds and texturizing them. About 5 years ago I wanted to make an artificial rock waterfall in my back yard and went online looking for a solution that I could make myself. There will be moderate traffic in this area.. mostly a walkway and thinking of creating a 10x10 area for a bench and seating.. http://www.the-artistic-garden.com/hypertufa-recipes.html. Line the mold with plastic sheeting and place 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) I have been dying to get my hands into some hypertufa projects, but have lots of questions! containers, troughs and birdbaths among other unique rustic creations. has anyone yet perfected creating a water tight small pond with this? Ill also show you all of the many ways you can use this versatile material to achieve various different textures and finishes without much effort. I do have questions though. Use this Here, the pieces were cut to form a 16-inch square about 8 inches tall. Woman of Many Sticks - find out why I'm called that Sign up for the Rurality Newsletter here: (click on the bucket! Thank you! Pack the hypertufa mixture into the bottom of a box in a 2-inch thick layer, creating the floor of your container. pavements, sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, floors, canal linings) and structural concrete (e.g. Ive also been wanting to make some step stones, should I use use Quik-crete instead of the hypertufa mix? The size and shape of this larger box will define the exterior footprint of your container. Stay up to date on new articles and advice. You can make these lightweight concrete containers and these answers will help first timers. Keep In wheelbarrow or large bucket, thoroughly combine equal parts Portland cement, peat moss or coconut coir, and sand (or perlite or vermiculite). Great article. Carefully open the bag (or uncover) and see if your fingernail can scratch off any 'tufa. If your object is not cured correctly then the resulting product could be brittle and not as strong as it should be. I finally gave up and said "If you want a strong bubbly mix like Shaving Cream, then I'll just use shaving cream and be done with this great experiment." How Did It Go With Shaving Cream? See more ideas about concrete diy, hypertufa, concrete projects. Gather the molds, mix the hypertufa, and just get going Fill the stem first, since you'll use it again while molding the cap. Can you cover styrofoam with hyperturfa, to make a big sculpture which would be empty inside? Let's Cure! Draped hypertufa was developed using old towels or other pieces of material, dunked in a slurry of hypertufa mix, then draped over a mold, stool, tree stump or upside down pot to dry. Bryan, Stepping stones/pavers are great made from hypertufa. See the link at the end of the post. Add colored concrete pigments and stains according to their package instructions. A couple days after umolding, we just planted them up,simple! Though not as strong and durable as a standard concrete, hypertufa can be used to create some interesting finishes on stepping stones. Hi Sue, I love your wonderful website with so many fabulous tutorials! This Free Shipping offer expires 12/31/23 and requires a $149 minimum purchase amount. The material has an ancient, hand-hewn quality; a perfect home for plants that you might find nestled into crevices in a rock garden, such as alpines, succulents, mosses and even tiny evergreens. We added those flat gems to the top rims and to the mushrooms right after molding them in the containers and before the drying process. It is relatively light compared with terracotta or traditional concrete and can withstand harsh winters, at least down to 30 C (22 F). Billie. The finish or outside texture of your hypertufa project can be smooth like finished concrete or rough like stone and even porous looking like pumice/lava stone. The Berry Botanic Garden, Marv Bondarowicz photo Some may have other opinions, but that is my opinion. A hypertufa mix is preferred when you desire a lighter weight material than concrete, also for more of an aged and ornamental looking finish. If you are in a very dry climate, it might be great to seal them so that they dont dry out too quickly. Protective Clothing: While working with hypertufa ingredients, wear a dust mask, sturdy rubber gloves and protective eye goggles when measuring and mixing the dry ingredients. The Hypertufa Gardener Group. one part by volume of each of the following: (this means use several You can upturn a cooler, or anything, onto a table and pack the mix on all sides,make the rims, now at the bottom thick enough to grab when lifting off the cooler mold. Hypertufa can be packed together, shaped and molded with tools much like sand castles at the beach. Making them with extra Portland cement could make them a little sturdier since they would need to be extra strong. No sharp edges, no danger in applying it to your mixture or a hazardous appearance as the aging hypertufa erodes. Or a large rock, so that it would not be too heavy to move. Check over on my website about recipes for hypertufa , strong recipes that will hold up to winter ice and snow. Your studio might be used the most in spring and fall - summer is a bit hot, and it's uncomfortable to work in. How to Make Fossil Imprint Stepping Stones. Sieve this through mesh to remove Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. three ingredients (one part by volume of each ingredient) to start. As it continues to cure, the true color will emerge. Please fill out the information below. Perhaps the next time I walk up to the piece to plant something or move it slightly on its pedestal? Based on all this information about how long a BRIDGE DECK needs to cure, I think my planter is ready to progress to the leaching stage by its third week. and form it into place. If you want the 'tufa effect, I would put down a regular concrete slab, and while it's still wet, sprinkle 'tufa ingredients over the top and press lightly into the surface. As for me, I usually just do without any of these at all. My friend and I did all right even the first time at this, but I have to say, I was better at it than my friend! Perlite adds bulk without I have used both water-based and oil-based paints. These instructions are general. Your container can be left out in freezing temperatures as long as it is off the ground. billie_ann 14 years ago I made a few small bog gardens from hypertufa bowls and they hold water. Your email address will not be published. Its still very strong and shows no sign of wear, so I can assure you that this material will last for years in your landscape also. That may work, but why not just use concrete.Tufa - its purpose is to create a light weight container that can be used for plants that like well drained soil.mikeSuggest you try and make someMine hold water for a little while but eventually the water seeps though. Once the mold is completely covered, try to flatten the top, which will become the base of the planter once the hypertufa is lifted from the mold and flipped over, so it will sit fairly level. not crumble, on impact. Use a specific tutorial for the type of planter you want to make. These feet will keep your trough off the ground. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I use the recipe with peat moss and the peat moss degrades over time giving you the lovely nooks and crannies. Hypertufa is a strong, but lightweight concrete thats easily shaped with molds into containers, troughs and or by hand into figures, even leaves. pavements, sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, floors, canal linings) and structural concrete (e.g. Click Here To Learn From The Hypertufa Expert, Claudia Brownlie. Troughs and hypertufa figures continue drying and curing for another few days to weeks, becoming lighter and stronger. The "cream" is the finer particles of portland, sand and in this case small amounts of peat moss rise to the surface. Unwrapping & Curing Hypertufa - We Have Ours Ready ! Many of the sources say that cement/concrete does most of its curing in the first 7 days and reaches a full cure by about 28 days. Sand is optional. Here i am 13 years later to this thread. If you don't see your download within a few minutes, try again with another email address - sorry for the bother.). But cutting with the little tabs left on presents small stabbing needle-like projections to handle as you assemble the hypertufa. Hypertufa projects are limited only by your imagination. I just made a few pots my first time and they were easy to make. And I have always loved it! Put the cement mixture into the fingers before putting in the wire, then slip the wire shape in place. You didnt mention how long it takes after the cure, to successfully plant in the pot. Pack the mix tightly, starting with the bottom. That is what is suppose to happen when you make a planter but it may not be the look you want for your pad. Before you begin, assemble the supplies you will need. Thanks for visiing and commenting. Top a shady step with Caladium 'Miss Muffet', Begonia 'Red Planet' and Begonia 'Tiny Gem'. Add water to the mix until you get the consistency of peanut butter. Do not move the mold, and keep it covered for about three days. Plant! That way, you would have the strength of concrete and the look of 'tufa. If the dry ingredients of the tufa are taken one cup each, then the amount of fiber mesh should be equal to a tablespoon. After removing it from the mold, allow an additional month of curing time before using your container. But I have used the fibers, for instance, in quite a few bowls and I have not seen any difference in the hypertufas longevity. Billie. Ideally, the walls should be at least 2 inches thick. And I don't know if you use a rebar (or other metal) infrastructure the same way you do with concrete or not. Try a small cooler first, Id think. See if any of your questions are answered then give it a try! This includes for the transport as you finish the piece and then place it in its final destination. You may find it much easier to mix this in two batches or in two different containers because the mix is quite heavy. I mixed and mixed again and again with stronger and stronger solutions. 1 parts peat. Can hypertufa, reinforced with rebar, bear this weight? Here is a link (#affiliate link) to some Tin Snips so that you can see what these look like. Want to download this recipe to print it? The basic ingredients for hypertufa are readily available at home improvement stores and garden centers. In case of this recipe, it must be noted that the fiber mesh may be difficult to procure in the surrounding region. This is the advisable recipe in case; the person desires a capability to carve a design or pattern in the tufa. I have seen several on our group on Facebook do that. Sign up for our newsletter. If you dropped a hypertufa pot from ten feet up onto a hard surface, it could break into large chunks, depending on the composition of the materials. Some recipes also contain fiberglass strands, vermiculite Now begin mixing the hypertufa. 10 Comments Updated July 15, 2022 +8. I guess any sealer will work. the alkaline pH of the decaying pieces. At least it is just a soft handful of fibers to mix in the dried ingredients as you make up the hypertufa mixture. Can it be painted? You should be able to make a ball in your hands and it will stay together. succeed immediately. Tamp it in place to remove air pockets. After curing, the next step is leaching. They are really adorable and great freebies to colleagues. You can pat it into a shape by hand.we make small mushrooms with the extra were left with. They require several days to cure before they can be planted. Have you ever had a concrete driveway poured? in mind too that not all cement powder, peat moss or sand is created This planter contains 5 miniature hostas, a dwarf chamaecyparis shrub (center), five creeping sedums, selaginella moss, baby's tears, and spiky blue-eyed grass, top right corner. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Get the free guide! This feels like clay and shouldnt worry you. In cold areas, the holes and channels will collect water, freeze, and crack. Reinforcement is available to use in hypertufa in a few different ways. Be sure to read about the curing process below as this step is very important. Teamwork! If you do use reinforcement, what do you use? {var cid=document.createElement("script");cid.async=true;cid.src="//seal.digicert.com/seals/cascade/seal.min.js";var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script");var ls = s[(s.length - 1)];ls.parentNode.insertBefore(cid, ls.nextSibling);}()); 2023 Gardener's Supply Company, 128 Intervale Road, Burlington, VT 05401 |, FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $149 - ENTER CODE, Garden Tools, Planters, Raised Garden Beds +More | Gardener's Supply, 2 cardboard boxes, one about 2" smaller than the other. Work in a well ventilated area and wear . This Garden Decoration item by Btwentytwo has 2 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Hypertufa in the snow is beautiful and all yo. I've seen that some folks have used it for making bird baths and fountains, but I was wondering if it would be a good substitute for pond liners? Avoid using pre-mixed mortar as The peat is not quite as utilitarian, it is light weight and holds some moisture balancing out the drainage of the perlite but also adds an ascetic value as well. If desired, add cement pigment for color. Mixing the hypertufa Once you have obtained and prepped your materials, it is time to mix the dry ingredients. You want pure Portland cement that has no aggregates added. You're bringing all the fine particles to the surface and it will seal just like a mortar mix lining. That way, you would have the strength of concrete and the look of 'tufa. However, I read that the mixture does not stick to glass or plastic. Dont know how it would behave with sheet metal screws. pots. This bowl of papyrus and water lily is surrounded by yellow-flowering corydalis and purple Persian shield in the upper-right corner. Turn the container over to lever away the chipboard from the base of the container. Or from the natural wearing away of the hypertufa as it ages. After your object has cured for 24 hours, take your object out of the bag and mist it with water using a spray bottle (remove from its mold if using one), then replace in the bag and re-seal it. So I thought I would take this opportunity to talk about curing hypertufa. Thats why I called a friend to give me a push. Step 6. be used; stick them together to make a really rustic container with My longest lasting hypertufa (that I know of) is one that is large, but has no reinforcement at all. Cement and concrete are porous and are not recommended for holding water. At least it is just a soft handful of fibers to mix in the dried ingredients as you make up the hypertufa mixture. I'm also curious about strength but for different reasons. Wearing rubber gloves and a dust mask to avoid breathing cement dust, mix 3 parts perlite, 3 parts peat moss, and 2 parts Portland cement in a plastic tub. It is just something that you have to see what fits your projects, your climate, and my most frequent consideration, the size of the hypertufa project. Please follow me! Some people have had success setting pieces in the sun to dry, but I would not recommend that at all. Need Exterior Paint Color to Match White Roof in Florida, Wondering if my paver sidewalk was done correctly, Desperately seeking advice for contemporary curb appeal for DC ranch, Camas Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Cary Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Deer Park Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Foothill Ranch Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Waunakee Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers. Curing Hypertufa I even tried twice. See if any of your questions are answered then give it a try! Sometimes your project will seem a bit moist and if you carve or sand it, a small amount of mud comes off in small sawdust-like amounts. Well, maybe you wouldn't scrub your's but I do, lol! I rarely make a huge hypertufa and I dont worry at all about the smaller ones.