How to Make Round Cement Rings for Planting

Make a cement mix following the instructions on the package. Make sure to use quality Portland cement for best results. Mix cement mix with water, follow the exact instructions of your cement mix on how much water you should use. Mix the mixture until it has the same consistency as pancake batter.

Stir the cement mix with a wooden rod to create a smooth, even and homogeneous paste.

Add color pigments especially made for concrete or cement into the mixture if you want to make it more appealing once it's dry and hard. This is also the time to put additives into the mixture, if recommended and provided by the manufacturer of the cement mix. Examples of additives may be waterproofer or polyvinyl acetate, which will protect the cement when hardened. The pigments and additives are available in any hardware store.

Prepare the mold for the plant rings by thoroughly cleaning it first. Then spray ordinary cooking oil onto the entire inside surface of the mold. This will prevent cement mix from sticking to the mold and will eventually make a more neat shape, with sharp and smooth edges.There are various molds made from different materials. You can use sleek plastic-based molds or rustic wood molds. However, if you want neat rings for planting, it is best to use plastic-based molds used for plaster and cement. For very small planting rings, you can use simple cake pans.

Pour the mix into the mold, slowly and carefully. Be careful not to create any air bubbles or pockets. Use the wooden rod to gently stir the mixture and compress the paste into all parts of the mold.

Level the top surface of the cement mix, using a 2-by-4 board if the mold is big and a plastic leveling plate tool.

Leave the cement plant ring to dry and harden completely, for at least two or three days.

Release the cement plant ring from the plastic mold by gently tapping all around the surface of the mold. No matter if your mold is bendable or rigid, this procedure is likely to loosen the cement shape from it. Be very careful when performing this step not to break or crack the ring. Also, be sure not to damage the mold as well, since you might need it for another garden project.