Homemade Concrete Planters

Preparing

• 1

  Set up your work area outside in the shade. Spread plastic on a solid table. Gather your tools, supplies and planter molds.

• 2

  Pour the majority of your 80 lbs. of dry concrete mix into your wheelbarrow. Add a little water at a time until your concrete is the consistency of cookie dough. Blend with your shovel as you add the water.

• 3

  Test the concrete consistency. Create a steep vertical trench down the middle of your wheelbarrow, using your shovel. If the sides of your wet concrete crumble and cave in, your concrete needs a few more drops of water; if water accumulates in a puddle at the bottom of the trench, pour in the remaining dry concrete and blend.

Pouring

• 4

  Spread cooking oil on your molds with a rag anywhere concrete will be touching. Scoop some concrete with a plastic pitcher. Pour a thin layer into the bottom of your outer mold.

• 5

  Cut a piece of chicken wire with your wire cutters to lay flat on the bottom of your planter mold. Place on top of the thin layer of wet concrete for reinforcement.

• 6

  Pour more concrete in the bottom for a total of at least 1 inch thick; for extra-large planters 2 inches is good. Firmly tamp down the concrete.

• 7

  Center your oiled inner mold and place a brick inside to hold in place. It is OK if your inner mold is several inches taller than the outer mold as long as it is straight and smooth.

• 8

  Pour concrete gradually into the gaps to form your planter walls. Tamp and pack concrete down with your wooden dowel. Continue pouring and tamping until your planter walls are completely full and packed firmly.

• 9

  Tap all around the outside of your mold with a rubber mallet. Tap for at least one minute to settle concrete and eliminate air bubbles. Smooth, shape and level the rim of your planter level with your trowel.

• 10

Curing

• 11

  Cover the mold with plastic for 24 hours for small concrete planters or 30 hours for large planters. Pull out the inner mold.

• 12

  Turn your planter upside down; use even pressure on all sides to avoid breaking your planter. Enlist the help of an assistant if necessary. At this point it is dry but still fragile.

• 13

  Lift the outer mold from the planter. Carefully bore drainage holes into the bottom of your planter with a drill.

• 14

  Cover the planter and allow to cure for an additional seven days before planting. Spray lightly with water daily to aid in the curing process; pour off any excess water. After three weeks, paint or apply concrete sealer to the planter.