| Gardening - Hypertufa Troughs |
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| Index: |
| Variations, Waterproofing & Helpful Tips |
| Ways to “age” the trough prematurely: |
| v Use boiled rice water brushed and poured over the trough |
| v Brush yogurt or buttermilk on it |
| v Use a mixture of manure and water poured over the trough |
v Apply liquid fertilizer with a watering can. Moss and lichen will adhere to the
surface more easily.
surface more easily.
v Blend moss or lichen from the garden with some buttermilk in your blender and
brush over the surface
brush over the surface
| v Spray the outside with milk |
| Variations on a theme: |
v The formula for making troughs is inexact. If the ingredients are used in a ratio of 1
part cement to 6 parts non-cement, the troughs will be durable. A small amount of coarse
sand and a handful of Fibermesh are essential ingredients to bond and reinforce the
cement.
part cement to 6 parts non-cement, the troughs will be durable. A small amount of coarse
sand and a handful of Fibermesh are essential ingredients to bond and reinforce the
cement.
| v Vermiculite or Diatomaceous Earth may also be included or substituted. |
| v Concrete dye may be added to color the mixture. |
v The exterior of the trough can be covered with Peat moss, Sand or Diatomaceous Earth
before curing to modify the surface texture.
before curing to modify the surface texture.
v "Feet" for the troughs can be made from any left over mix in small 2"-4"
flower pots.
flower pots.
| v Rocks can also be used to raise the troughs for display and to ensure good drainage. |
| Forms/Molds: |
| v Try using a Styrofoam cooler as a form |
v You can buy Styrofoam at in 2 inch thick sheets 2 feet by 6 feet. Cement together to
get what ever thickness you need (use liquid nails construction adhesive). A surform rasp
can be used to sculpture the Styrofoam to the shape you want.
get what ever thickness you need (use liquid nails construction adhesive). A surform rasp
can be used to sculpture the Styrofoam to the shape you want.
| v If you cover the form with plastic wrap it is easy to remove and can be used over again. |
v When molding cement around the outside or inside of a form, first plaster the form
with a couple of layers of wet newspaper. The concrete mix will come off cleanly leaving
your form ready to use again. Any newspaper sticking to your new trough can be taken off
with a wire brush.
with a couple of layers of wet newspaper. The concrete mix will come off cleanly leaving
your form ready to use again. Any newspaper sticking to your new trough can be taken off
with a wire brush.
| Waterproofing HYPERTUFA: |
v An easy but smelly method to waterproof Hypertufa is to use Fiberglas resin coat,
(that is liquid fiberglass resin), from an auto parts store. It can be purchased in metal
gallon cans. Add the hardener and mix about a quart at a time. Brush on each inside face of
your container and allow to cure for 12 hours. Add second coat and dry for 3 days.
(that is liquid fiberglass resin), from an auto parts store. It can be purchased in metal
gallon cans. Add the hardener and mix about a quart at a time. Brush on each inside face of
your container and allow to cure for 12 hours. Add second coat and dry for 3 days.
v Another method to waterproof Hypertufa is by using Quikrete Cure and Seal. You will
find it in the concrete supply section of hardware stores such as Home Despot and Lowes. 2
or 3 healthy coatings will be needed as Hypertufa absorbs a lot of it. If you plan to make a
small pond or basin coat the inside with Thoroseal, or UGLI, to give it a watertight finish.
Thoroseal comes in black, white or gray, but you can get the white and paint it with latex
paint when finished.
find it in the concrete supply section of hardware stores such as Home Despot and Lowes. 2
or 3 healthy coatings will be needed as Hypertufa absorbs a lot of it. If you plan to make a
small pond or basin coat the inside with Thoroseal, or UGLI, to give it a watertight finish.
Thoroseal comes in black, white or gray, but you can get the white and paint it with latex
paint when finished.
v BIRDBATHS: To make a birdbath the Hypertufa should be about 3" thick. It is porous,
so to make it hold water have one person pour hot liquid paraffin around the basin. The 2nd
person smears the wax around wearing heavy rubber gloves.
so to make it hold water have one person pour hot liquid paraffin around the basin. The 2nd
person smears the wax around wearing heavy rubber gloves.
| Miscellaneous information: |
v Fiber mesh can be purchased at a concrete company for about $6 for a
small bag. It doesn’t take too much.
small bag. It doesn’t take too much.
v Concrete bonding additive, it looks like thin white Elmers glue, (you can use Elmers glue
if you can't find the additive) can be added as part of the water used in the hypertufa
recipe to make stronger mix. If you need to repair or reinforce use it to bond the repair
mixture to the trough.
if you can't find the additive) can be added as part of the water used in the hypertufa
recipe to make stronger mix. If you need to repair or reinforce use it to bond the repair
mixture to the trough.
| Don't forget to check these out... |
| These are the BEST books available on hypertufa and planting garden troughs. |
