There's something empowering about mixing a batch of concrete and transforming its runny, lumpy mess into a smooth structural or decorative form. Concrete, a mixture of cement, sand and gravel, takes on a whole new dimension when water is added. The perfect building material-it can be cast in any configuration and size from bridges and skyscrapers to garden ornaments and furniture.
To most of us who have never worked with concrete before, attempting a project for the first time is a bit intimidating. At least that's how I felt when my weekend gardener friend Dora Kemenzy and I were discussing how we would go about making our own stepping stones. We wanted something that looked more natural and attractive than what was available at garden centres. Deciding on a motif was easy. We chose a leaf design Dora illustrated first on paper, which we then used as a template to make our mould.
Whether used individually or in pairs the stones will create a natural looking garden pathway that will look as though it's been there for decades. Each stone is approximately 10" x 2" x 2".
YOU WILL NEED
- Plastic garden edging 4" (10.16cm) X 20"
- Rapid setting concrete, 30 kg bag (one bag will make three to four stones)
- Crushed gravel
- Sand
HAVE ON HAND
- level
- scissors
- duct tape
- water
- spade
- hoe
- trowel
- sheet of plastic or piece of burlap
0 Comment