Create garden markers to label where flowers or vegetables are.
Making garden markers can be a creative and rewarding experience and will give the garden a unique look. Concrete garden markers are inexpensive to make and will last a long time. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Put on rubber gloves and spray the mold or mat with WD-40. This is so the concrete does not stick when it sets. Molds can be bought at craft stores and come in many shapes. The mold will help to give an outline if creating one on the mat is difficult.
2. Put a small amount of concrete (a cup or so) in the mixing container/bucket and add water a little at a time while stirring. The consistency should be somewhat thick and dry so that it sticks together, which makes it easier to work with. If it gets too runny, then add a little more concrete. The concrete sets relatively quickly so it is important to have everything needed out and to know what design that will be used.
3. Place the mixture on the flat surface or in the plastic mold once once it seems workable. It is workable when it can be formed into a ball without falling apart or water dripping from it. Pat down the concrete a little bit so it starts to flatten out. If working on a flat surface, you can form the concrete into shapes. A rock shape can be made by using the hands. A butter knife can be used to create a shape with a point so it sticks in the ground. Do this by tapping the concrete flatter (1/2 inch or so) and then take the knife and cut out a shape that is rounded or square on top and pointed at the bottom, should be no more then 8 inches high or it could break. Finally, take broken glass or marbles and tap them into the concrete to decorate or leave it plain and paint it after it dries. If using a mold, tap glass or marbles into it or leave plain and paint later, if desired.
4. Pick up the mold or the mat with the concrete and lightly tap the entire thing on a hard surface. At this stage, the concrete is still slightly wet and as the tapping occurs, the concrete will start to settle and look smooth. The tapping will also move the air bubbles to the surface so it will be stronger when it hardens.
5. Wait about four days for the concrete to completely set and then put in the garden or decorate with patio paint. Words describing the items in the garden (e.g., "rosemary") or painting the actual fruit, flower or vegetable on the shapes are a few ideas for painting.
Tags: garden markers, flat surface, glass marbles, leave plain, leave plain paint, mold with