I've seen all kinds of DIY concrete planters on Pinterest. I didn't try them because I wanted a drainage hole for my plants. Lo and behold, someone demonstrated how to make a hole in the planter! I made one by using a wavy bowl I bought years ago when Big Lots was Pic N Save. I just never quite knew what to do with it. Well, it made the perfect planter. And it slipped right out of the mold, so I can make more. :) I love how the concrete looks with the cute little succulents inside. This is an easy project and very inexpensive.
Total Time: About 30 minutes, plus drying time.
Yield: 1 concrete planter
Supplies:
- concrete (I used Quik-rete)
- bucket to mix the concrete
- spoon or something to mix the concrete
- a bowl or some kind of mold
- another smaller bowl to make the planter. It should fit inside the bigger bowl with some room on the sides.
- scrap piece of cardboard
- tape
- cooking spray
- gloves (dishwashing gloves from the Dollar store are great)
Steps:
- Find a bowl to serve as the mold for your planter. Spray the inside with cooking spray.
- Find another small bowl to put on the inside. This will serve as the bowl to add your dirt and plants. Warning: I used an old pickle jar, which was a bad idea! The jar would not come out and I had to break it with a hammer, kinda dangerous. When I do this again, I will find a disposable bowl and cover the outside with plastic wrap, then spray with cooking spray. You want to make sure it will come out.
- Take a strip of cardboard, about 1 inch wide and 3 inches long. Roll it up tightly. Wrap some tape around it. Put that in the base of your big bowl, centered. This will be the drainage hole.
- Wearing gloves, mix up the concrete, in your bucket, according to the package directions.
- Trying to hold the cardboard "drainage hole", slowly pour in your concrete. Pour til you reach the top of the cardboard. Then place your smaller bowl (NOT a jar as shown) on top, centered. You may need to add something to weigh down the bowl, if it's light, such as a rock. Carefully pour the concrete around the bowl, til it's to your desired height.
- Once done, cover your concrete planter with a bag. Some people pour water on their concrete projects every day. Some don't. I just cover mine with a bag to keep the moisture in.
- Let your concrete cure for a few days. Take the planter out of the mold. Let planter sit another day or two.
- Fill with soil and plants. Enjoy your unique planter!
