Directions for Making Cement Planters

Molding the Planter

• 1

  Wear a respirator and heavy rubber gloves while combining two parts peat moss, one part Portland cement and one part vermiculite or perlite sand in a mixing tub or wheelbarrow. Stir by hand until thoroughly mixed.

• 2

  Add one part water to the dry mix until it is worked in completely. When correctly mixed, the water will barely extrude between the fingers when a handful of the mixture is squeezed (See Ref.).

• 3

  Find a cardboard box the size and dimension of the planter you desire. Line the box with a plastic bag or plastic sheeting, available from home improvement stores. The plastic should overlap the top of the box by at least three inches.

• 4

  Fill the box with two inches of the concrete mixture and push three wooden dowels, evenly spaced, through the bottom of the box mold to act as drainage holes.

• 5

  Work the mixture up the side of the box mold until two inches thick. For box molds larger than two feet by one foot, place a webbing of chicken wire between every one inch layer of mixture.

• 6

  Pull the plastic liner up over the top edge of the mixture, all around the mold. Smooth the top to a slightly rounded edge. This will help prevent chipping and breaking of the concrete.

Curing of the Planter

• 7

  Cure the mold for one week in weather above 55 degrees and for two weeks in weather below 55 degrees. The mold should never be exposed to temperatures lower than 35 degrees. Spray the mold with water at least twice a day.

• 8

  Remove the planter from the box and take off the plastic wrap. Extract the wooden dowels from the bottom of the planter and use a stiff wire brush or coarse sandpaper to smooth all rough edges on the outside of the planter. The concrete is malleable at this stage. Use a screwdriver to etch the lines left by the plastic creases so they are more pronounced and give the planter a more distinctive look.

• 9

  Cure for two more weeks by leaving it outside and spraying it at least twice daily with water.

• 10

  Drench the planter thoroughly with a solution of 1/4-cup vinegar to one gallon water by filling the inside of the planter with as much solution as necessary and allowing it to soak for at least 30 minutes while rinsing the outside with the same solution. Drain and allow to dry for 24 hours before using.