Tufapot [Not a Teapot]

Make a tufapot! Easy and very lightweight, these pots are attractive in a garden or patio. They can be made in any shape, with our without a plastic pot inside, and can be distressed or decorated to go with your garden decor theme. Molded or free-form, the sky is the limit when creating these inexpensive and interesting flower pots.

Ingredients should be measured by volume. Use whatever size of measuring unit you wish. The size is not crucial, but the same unit of measure should be used for each ingredient.

1 1/2 parts peat moss

1 1/2 parts perlite or vermiculite

1 part Portland cement

Step 1: Placed measured perlite in a mixing tub. Dampen or mist it and then set aside.

Step 2: Select a mold (it can be an old pot, a box, or any container of your choice). Cover the mold with plastic. Then, prepare your work areas with plastic gloves, a mixing bucket, water, a dowel or clothespin, and several plastic garbage bags.

Step 3: Place the measured perlite, peat moss, and Portland cement into your

mixing container. With gloves on, hand-mix the ingredients, adding water a small amount at a time. Use care not to add too much water! Your mixture should not be soupy, but rather stay in a firm "ball" in your hand when your hand is cupped and opened.

If water drips from hand when doing this, your mixture is too wet.

Step 4: Place a small amount of the mixture in your hand and then press it against the mold, starting at the bottom. It is desirable to have at least 1" thickness as you work around all sides of the mold. At the top of the mold, place a piece of heavy cardboard and flatten the top surface (this will be the bottom of your pot). Form a hole in the bottom with your dowel or clothespin. This should be in the center for drainage. Leave the object in place as the mixture dries.

Step 5: Use a piece of plastic (torn garbage bag) to cover your tufapot. Set aside and clean up your work area.

Step 6: After allowing to dry for one or two days, "pop" the mold away from the cement mixture. Pull out the dowel or clothespin. Wash container off with water and use a wire brush to clean off the tufapot. Rinse and rewrap the pot in plastic and allow to cure for two weeks.

Step 7: After the 2 weeks of curing, the pot is ready for

planting. Rinse the inside of pot with water to remove excess lime content. Put a small rock over the drain-hole and add potting mixture. Plant and enjoy!