Full instructions on pages 106 and 108.You will notice that as concrete begins to become weathered, moss will start to grow on it. If you would like to give nature a helping hand and speed up the weathering process, try adding one part peat to three parts concrete mix when casting. The resulting mix is called hypertufa. The peat makes the concrete more porous, enabling moss and lichen to gain a hold quickly. The more peat you add, the sooner you will get moss-covered pots. However, too much peat can make the pot brittle and more inclined to break, so it’s important to get the mix just right.
You can also speed up the growth of moss and lichen by brushing the finished pot with soured milk or yoghurt mixed with a little soil. This will encourage an even faster rate of growth.
A simple pot made of concrete mixed with peat gives the impression of being aged and weathered. This hosta almost looks as if it is a part of the pot.
Full instructions on pages 106 and 108.
If you want to accentuate an aged effect, try casting pots in cardboard boxes, so that the shape is not perfect, but slightly softer and more characterful.
The weathered appearance of this type of concrete enables pots to blend into their surroundings. A surface with a good covering of lichen and moss is reminiscent of natural stone. In fact, once in situ the pot will look as though it has been in the garden for years, making it the ideal choice for a wild border or as a complement to other slightly rusted garden ornaments.
Hypertufa is also great for making small decorative features, such as small balls or hearts, which you can shape using your gloved hands.
A rusted, water-filled dish with a heart and balls made from hypertufa as a centrepiece makes a beautiful still life. A houseleek is growing in the pot. Full instructions on page 108.
