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Homegrown Stone Pots

By Susan Morgan, HGTV.com
Planters typically start at $5 and usually cost a lot more—the bigger a pot, the more it costs. So why not make your own inexpensive container, one that can withstand the test of time and the elements? After the initial investment of about $30 worth of ingredients, you can cheaply and easily create several beautiful stone-like planters—called hypertufa troughs—for your garden. And most likely you'll have enough materials left over to make more!
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Creating a Hypertufa Trough
Next: Step 1: Gather materials.
Patterned after the real stone troughs once used to water livestock in England, the modern-day hypertufa trough is considerably more lightweight and can be fashioned into a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, as determined by its creator—you. Due to the durable materials with which they're constructed, these containers are able to withstand the elements and only look better with time. Once you get the hang of constructing these homemade containers, you'll be making them in no time at all.


Creating a Hypertufa Trough

Step 1: Gather materials.

Step 2: Prepare the mold.

Step 3: Combine dry ingredients.

Step 4: Thoroughly mix dry ingredients.


Step 5: Add water to the dry mixture.

Step 6: Thoroughly mix dry and wet ingredients.

Step 7: Add the mixture to the mold.

Step 8: Pack the mixture firmly into mold.

Step 9: Insert dowel rods for drainage.


Optional: Add decorative materials for added interest.

Step 10: Remove trough from mold.

Step 11: Use a wire brush for finishing.

Ready to Plant

Get Creative!
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