• 

• 

I made these concrete planters in one afternoon using a $5 bag of concrete and supplies I had in the workshop. They look darling with my mini succulents and they were so stinkin’ easy to make!

• 

• 

Here are the supplies I used. Literally an old plastic flower pot, a bathroom “dixie” cup, scrap wood pieces and L-brackets. The “dixie” cups were the right size for the opening that I wanted. Base your container sizes off of the size of plant you are looking to pot. I knew I was putting mini succulents inside, so I needed smaller containers.

Make sure you are using containers that can be either cut or lifted off of the concrete form once it’s dry. Preferably things that can just be tossed after to make your life easier. Just don’t use anything valuable.

*side note* my plastic flower pot had draining holes in the bottom. I simply traced the bottom of the pot and cut a piece of cardboard to fit inside and block the holes. Worked like a charm!

• 

• 

• 

My general recipe was about 1 cup of concrete to 1/4 cup of water. Add additional concrete or water if necessary until the mixture seems “right”. AKA – not runny but fully wet. It’s not an exact science and the best part? It doesn’t have to be perfect!

The other best part?

There is SO much concrete left in the bag! Oh man, the projects I have already been dreaming up!

Best $5 I have spent in a while!!!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Using some extra rock salt we had in the garage, I filled my “dixie” cups to help them maintain their shape when I added the concrete. I found that a small plastic spoon was just enough to work with for the smaller size pot. First, I added concrete mix to the base of each exterior container evenly. Next I put my interior container inside (in this case, my “dixie cups”) right on top of the thin bottom layer of mix I just poured. I continued to fill the pot all around the cup with the concrete. I tapped it a few times to allow the concrete to settle and get any air pockets out.

For the larger rectangular form, I just poured the concrete right in the wood box I made.

*side note* for the rectangle box – the outer frame is attached with L-brackets and it is literally just sitting on top of the red wood slat. It’s not attached. As long as you don’t move your forms around too much, it works just fine this way.

• 

• 

Once fully dry (I let them set overnight to be safe since it was pretty cold in the workshop), pull out the disposable cups. Just a little tug should really be all that’s necessary to get them out. You will be surprised how easily they pop out! And I love that I can just pour the salt back into the bag to be used again – either outside in the snow or inside with more crafting!

On the rectangle, I unscrewed the L-brackets and the wood released immediately from the concrete. Easy peasy!

• 

• 

I decided to spray paint the smaller planter white – because why the heck not? I love the rustic and rocky look of the concrete. There are other smoother concrete mix options, but they’re a bit more expensive.

And I like cheap.

Whad’ya think??