Hypertufa ?

Purchased an old book yesterday from a charity shop,written by Sue and Rodger Norman
in 1996. the Book is named Patios,Pots and Window Boxes.
in the book they refer to making your own Trough's using a material called HYPERTUFA . Has anyone ever used this material and if so was it worth the effort to produce your own garden troughs.?. the instructions in the book seem to be a bit flimsy but as the book is 14 yrs old there could be changes in the material since then. the trough's in the book look excellent, but as i say the instructions look a bit flimsy :skp:. thank you music .

 

I seem to remember this was one of Geoff Hamiltons favourites.

Am I right in thinking its concrete made from cement and peat?

 

Hi Pete. the Hypertufa is made from one part each of cement,dry sharp or concreting sand and finely sieved peat or coco fibre. p.v.a. bonding agent will give strength and flowability.
mix and add water, mixing until the compound just Flows.
GO TO THE TOP OF THE CLASS PETE :D music .

 

I think you just need something to stick it onto.
Glazed Belfast sinks was the common one, but I think it might actually work better on a hardwood box.

 

Hi again Pete and Marley Farley. the reason i said the idea in the book was a bit flimsy, they are talking about finding 2 cardboard boxes. put the base layer in the larger box and make 2 drainage holes. place the 2nd centrally on the base. support the sides of the outer box and fill the inner box with sand then continue filling sides.cover with wet fabric and leave for 36 hours,carefully remove fabric and boxes. then it goes on to shaping with old knives/open up drainage holes and leave to set for 2 or 3 days ?.
i would imagine using cardboard boxes with wet material the cardboard would collapse leaving one out of shape Trough :( ( any more solid ideas ) music

 

I guess thats why you fill the inner box with sand, to stop it collapsing inwards.

These kind of things are supposed to look misshapen, so any sag in the outter box will probably add a bit of character.:D

 

I wrote an article for the Alpine Garden Society about making troughs from Hypertufa. Not sure if it is available on line though.
I am sure I did put it on line myself somewhere, will try and find it.
I have over 20 home made troughs on the Gravel garden.

 

I found this webpage on the subject of Hypertufa planters.
hope it'll help??

http://www.ehow.com/how_2097475_make-hypertufa.html

Pete