Introduction: Concrete Planter

Step 1: Tools & Supplies

What you will Need?
-   1x Bag of concrete
-   4x Cups
-   Concrete formwork
-   Silicon
-   Corking Gun
-   Soil
-   Succulents (your choice of plants)

Step 2: Cut the Formwork

1. First create your formwork     
300mm x 300mm x 80mm    
Box made from any scraps of timber you have.    
(I found a piece of melamine chipboard in my local council clean up.)

Step 3: Screw Together

Screw together rather than nail, so it can be taken apart easily. This also allows you to put the formwork back together if you wish to make another planter. 

Step 4: Silicon the Edge

Run silicon along the edges so the concrete does not drip from any gaps there are in your box. It also provides a good edge to your final concrete.

Step 5: Pour the Concrete

Mix up concrete and pour into box up to 60 mm
Whilst still wet place in 4 cups to create the shapes for the plants to grow in.
(Plastic cups are better because they are easier to get out after the concrete has set.)

Step 6: Vibrate Concrete

Vigorously vibrate the concrete to get rid of any air bubbles in the concrete. This can be done by tapping the formwork with a hammer all around the edges. Or you can use a electric sander on the formwork which provides good constant vibration.

Step 7: Remove Formwork

Let the concrete set for at least 24 hrs before removing from the formwork. Inspect your concrete form and at this stage of the concrete setting you will be able to smooth out any rough edges or bumps with some sand paper or electric sander.

Step 8: Preparing the Planter

Once the concrete has set for a further 24 hrs use some more silicon inside the holes made from your cups. Completely covering the inside of the shape.

Step 9: Planting

Once the silicon has set for the required time (generally 24hrs) place some good soil and any plant that is able to grow in a area where there roots aren't able to spread out.

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