Hard as rock,concrete ornamentsare easy to make.
Even better, this versatile outdoor material is low cost and prettier than you might think.
Try our techniques for customizing, shaping, and finishing concrete ornaments andoutdoor decor.
Having a Ball
Concrete spheres bringlasting beauty to any garden.
Cast a half sphere at a time, using 10-, 12-, or 15-inch-diameter molds.
Sandwich two halves to make a round with a spread of mortar holding the pieces together.
Dabs of outdoor acrylic paint add a mossy appearance that becomes even more realistic with weather and age.
On the Edge
Plant some personality in your garden usingconcrete edging.
Start with a concrete mold and a bag of extra-strength, fiber-reinforced concrete mix.
Customize your creations with concrete colorants.
The Right Steps
It’s only natural to enhance your garden with leaf-shapestepping-stones.
Resulting in a total cost of less than $20.
Carve each leaf-shape hole about 3 inches deep.
Step 5
Fill the hole evenly with concrete.
Use your hands to press and sculpt the concrete into a leaf shape.
Step 6
Place a rhubarb leaf vein-side down on the surface of the concrete.
Press firmly to make a detailed impression.
Lift off the leaf.
Step 7
Enhance the veins, if you like, by deepening them using a wooden skewer.
Step 8
Cover the stepping-stone with damp burlap.
Keep it covered and damp to help strengthen the concrete while it cures for a week.
Plastic Perfection
Use pairs of slightly different-size containers to shape your pots.
Before the concrete sets, poke a drainage hole with a cork.
Press bits of tumbled recycled glass into the surface of the still-wet concrete for a touch of sparkle.
