Planters are a great way to grow plants anywhere. Cement planters are a simple and inexpensive project for beginner DIYers. You can use your own creativity and make your own patterns or designs, or you can follow the directions in this video to follow along with a full tutorial, step by step instructions on how to build cement planters. Cement planters can be built using basic tools and materials in a number of styles. Plenty of designs out there for you to build from, but we hear the best one is the one that you design.
Concrete planters are a stylish choice for outdoor decor, but they can be quite expensive when purchased from a home goods store. The good news is that it’s easy to make your own, and you can save money while creating something unique using cement and readily-available mold materials. The planters in this article are made using plastic bottles as molds, but we’ll show you other options at the end of the article. So get ready to channel your inner DIY expert and get started.
Create the Mold.
To make a mold, you can use a cardboard box and tape or even just the plastic lid of a container.
To make one, you will need:
- A cardboard box (the size depends on what you are building)
- Tape to keep the box together when you cut it in half
- A marker to draw your design on both sides of the box
Prepare the Materials.
In order to build your cement planters, you will need:
- A measuring tape or ruler
- The materials you wish to place in the planter (example: flowers)
- Safety gear such as goggles, gloves and/or ear plugs if desired.
Starting with a clean work space will help keep things organized and save time throughout the project.
Pour the Base Layer.
The first step in building your cement planters is to pour the base layer. Use a trowel to spread the cement evenly over the mold and make sure it’s flat. Be careful not to use too much because you’ll need to scrape off any excess later on, which is easier when there isn’t too much in one spot.
Once you have spread out your cement and made sure it’s level, use another trowel to smooth down any bumps or ridges until everything is nice and flat again. Once that’s done, you should be able to scrape off extra cement with ease.
Add Supports for the Wiring.
Wiring is a process that can be used to create a variety of shapes in both the cement and the pot. When it comes to wiring plants, it’s important to remember that you don’t want to cut off all circulation for your plants’ roots. The goal is for them to be able to grow as well as possible with minimal pruning so that they can thrive outdoors once they’re planted outside.
Wire also works well when creating a cutting board or any other project where you want a flat surface on one side and something else on another (like wire mesh). One example would look like this:
Create a Form for the Pot Body.
Next, you will create a form for the pot body. This is where your creativity can run wild and you can really get creative! If you want to make an intricate or elegant design, this is your chance.
If you are just looking for something simple and easy, there are plenty of different shapes that will work great as planters without much effort at all.
The easiest way to create a form is with the help of 2×4’s (2 x 4s). They’re cheap and plentiful. You can buy them at any home improvement store or lumber yard if they don’t carry them already on hand in their storage area as well as some hardware stores like Lowe’s Hardware Stores does not carry these boards but has other options available for purchase such as: MDF boards which stands for Medium Density Fiberboard – depending on what type of material we use it may have different properties from one another so feel free check out their website before purchasing anything online)
Make Holes for Planter Drainage.
Add drainage holes to the cement planter.
Drill drainage holes in the pot. Use a drill bit that is slightly smaller than your planter drain tube. Drill holes at an angle, as this will help water move freely out of them, and make sure they’re at least 1/2″ deep (or more).
Build a Cone to Support the Inner Pot.
- Using the cardboard box as a mold, use a drill to create several holes in each side and then one hole on top of the cone.
- Cut along three sides of the cardboard box so that it is flat on two sides and then fold down those flaps over so that you can pour cement into it later
- Pour concrete into the funnel until it’s full (you may have to do this in stages), then place your funnel inside your hollowed out cone and mix together with water according to package instructions until everything comes together like dough (about 1/2 cup). Ensure everything else is ready before hand too: wooden stick, gloves and clothespins!
- When mixed properly, lift out your funnel slowly while tamping down any bits sticking out between layers by tapping gently on them with a hammer or mallet if needed (you’ll be able to see where they are once everything dries). Remove any excess concrete overhanging outside of this form by cutting off with scissors; set aside until dry enough for removal
Mix and Pour the Cement.
You are now ready to mix and pour the cement. You will need to thoroughly mix together dry cement and water in a wheelbarrow, then transport it to the mold. While mixing, be sure that there is no lumps or clumps of dry cement or powdery residue in your mixture. If there is, add more water until you have a homogenous mixture of wet sand-like consistency.
Once you’ve reached your desired consistency, begin transporting it to the mold using a wheelbarrow (if no wheelbarrows are available then use something else large enough for this purpose). To get started pouring into the mold, use an old hoe or shovel to scrape off some excess from around where you plan on pouring. This helps prevent any unwanted spillage during transfer from mixing bowl or bucket into molds which can lead to messy results later on down this process’s road.
Add a Layer of Gravel to Increase Drainage.
Next, add a layer of gravel to the bottom of your planter. This will act as a filter, allowing water to flow through while also providing a place for roots to grow. The depth should be at least half an inch (1/2″) and can vary depending on how large or small you want your planter to be.
You’ll want to wash any purchased gravel before adding it into your planters so that it doesn’t contain any unwanted chemicals or debris from being shipped around in trucks.
Remove the Mold Supports and Outer Forms.
This step is simple: remove the mold supports and outer forms. To get started, use a hammer and chisel to break off any concrete that’s attached to them. If you don’t have access to power tools (and don’t want to make a mess), you can use a hand saw instead.
Remove any other loose bits of concrete using a wire brush or sandpaper until all the cement residue has been removed from the surface of your planter boxes.
Drill drainage holes into inner concrete pot before planting.
Drill drainage holes into the inner concrete pot before planting. The holes should be at least 1″ deep and at least 1″ apart, and should be at least 1″ from the bottom and side of the pot. Drill your drainage holes using an angle grinder or a drill press with a masonry bit attached to it.
It’s easy to create unique concrete planters at home with some simple materials and DIY know-how
It’s easy to create unique concrete planters at home with some simple materials and DIY know-how.
Concrete is a strong, versatile material that can be used for everything from building homes to producing gorgeous outdoor decor. And it’s the perfect option for making your own custom cement planters! Not only will they last a long time, but they’ll also be completely unique you won’t find another one like it anywhere else.
To get started on your own DIY project, you’ll need:
- Concrete mix (You’ll want at least two bags of dry mix per planter.)
- A shovel or hoe (for mixing the cement)
- An old trowel or paintbrush (for applying the glue)
Final words
Now you’re ready to make your very own concrete planters! With the right materials and a basic understanding of how concrete works, anyone can do this project. In fact, we’ve included instructions for making three different kinds of planters: traditional pots with holes drilled in them (like those made from clay), modern cylindrical shapes (with built-in drainage systems), or even more contemporary styles. Enjoy experimenting on your own personal customization journey.
