How to Make Hypertufa Pots
By Dirk Diggler
, last updated September 9, 2011
If you want to give your garden a truly natural look this upcoming season, you are going to be interested in learning how to make hypertufa pots. Hypertufa is an easy to make, strong material that is functional and looks great in the right setting. Hypertufa can easily be shaped into a pot to hold flowers and other plants, but it can also be molded into rock like forms to create the stepping-stone or rock that you have been looking for in your garden. Hypertufa binds together naturally occurring organic materials using basic concrete to make these functional designs.
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How to Make Your Pot
In order to create your own hypertufa pots, the first thing you are going to need is a large mixing basin and wheelbarrows work great for this. Next, you are going to need peat moss, perlite and unmixed cement for building materials. The ratio you should use for your mixture is 1 part cement, 1 1/2 parts peat moss and 1 1/2 parts perlite. Mix all of these ingredients into your wheelbarrow or mixing basin and stir in water using your hands in gloves. When the texture of mix is firm enough to keep its shape in your hand, without dripping too much water, it is ready to be molded!
Molding
Take a pre-made pot that is roughly the size you want your hypertufa pot to be and start packing your mix around it. Pat the mixture down so that it is securely in place and about 1" to 2" thick all the way around. Next, flatten out where the bottom of your pot is going to be, this way it will stand up straight in your garden. Then wrap a plastic tarp around your creation until it finishes drying about 24 hours later. Finally, remove the plastic, brush off any imperfections and enjoy your very own hypertufa pot!
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