How to Make Hypertufa Planter Troughs

One of the traditional components of an alpine garden is a trough carved from tufa, a porous limestone found in mountainous regions. Because tufa is a rare stone, tufa troughs are rare. As a substitute for tufa, some container makers have developed a recipe called hypertufa. Hypertufa combines aggregates and organic material. Once the organic material decomposes, the aggregates become more porous like tufa stone. You can easily make troughs using cement mix.

Mixing bucket
Measuring cup
Stirring rod
Rubber gloves
Safety goggles
Breathing mask
Peat moss
Cement
Vermiculite
Reinforcing fibers
Garden hose
Cardboard box, 6-inch wide
Cardboard box 8- inch wide
Dry cleaning plastic bag
Copper bristled brush
Cordless drill
Masonry drill bit

Instructions

- 1
  Pull on protective clothing including safety goggles, gloves and breathing protection. Cement is caustic and can harm you if you are exposed to it for too long.
- 2
  Measure and mix 1 part peat moss, 1 part cement, 1 part vermiculite and 1 part reinforcing fibers in a mixing bucket. Add water from a garden hose and mix until the hypertufa mixture is the consistency of a mud pie.
- 3
  Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch box in a 1-inch layer. Place the 6-inch box inside the 8-inch box and center it.
- 4
  Pack the hypertufa mixture into the walls between the two boxes. Soak the boxes in water and wrap them in a dry cleaning bag.
- 5
  Allow the trough to dry and cure for between 48 hours and two weeks. Pull the two boxes away from the trough. Rub the sides of the trough with a wire bristled brush to soften the corners.
- 6
  Drill a drainage hole in the center of the trough using a drill and masonry bit. Allow the trough to cure for another two weeks to harden.

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