The-Artistic-Garden's Blog

Admixes? Liquid Fortifiers? Acrylic Strengtheners?
What Is Their Pupose and How Much To Add
To Your Hypertufa and Concrete Recipes

I get emails quite often asking me about “liquid fortifiers” and exactly what are they, what do they “do”, and how much should be put into a ‘tufa or concrete recipe. So, today I’ll share what I do know about using various types of admixes.

First, as is commonly referred to either here on my blog, or in forums that discuss hypertufa and concrete garden art recipes and projects, the term “admix” (or “admixture”) and “fortifier” and “liquid bonding agent” are usually synonymous. Basically, an admix is an acrylic liquid and is used as strengtheners to enhance the longevity of the cured object. Continue reading

How Much Can I Charge for My Homemade Hypertufa Garden Art Items?

I get asked this question on a pretty regular basis. and just the other day I received another private email asking me about this, so I thought I’d put the question and my reply here for everyone to learn from. Continue reading

How to Calculate Amount of Portland Cement and
Other Ingredients for Garden Art Projects

I received an email the other day from Tess asking me:

Hi! We are going to try to make a 4 ft diameter millstone garden fountain out of hypertufa. I believe your recipe for the Hypertufa Recipe With Fiber Mesh for Added Strength is the way to go. Any idea how much of the ingredients we will need to get to accomplish this? Will this hold up with constant water and hard winters? Continue reading

D-I-Y Hypertufa Flagstone Project Questions

I received an email from a sweet lady named P.J. asking me about how doable a “large” DIY hypertufa flagstone project might be and I think lots of you can benefit from her questions and my answers. So here goes:

Hi Claudia,

I love your website and blog and I have been reading all your info about hypertufa but I have a few questions. I want to make a patio in my yard and I would like to use the flagstone or slate mold. I am a widow and I will be doing this myself. I guess my question is can I do it myself? Continue reading

A Frustrated Hypertufa Trough Maker Seeks Helpful Advice

I received an email this week asking me:

A friend and I tried one of your basic hypertufa recipes without adding the fiber mesh. Our results are very crumbly. I think we goofed by not using it, right? Where does one find fiber mesh? NewLearner

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My reply:
Hi NewLearner:

I hate to say it, but I don’t believe the lack of fiber mesh in your basic recipe was the cause for a crumbly failure. Sounds like the amount of water you used and/or wrong proportions of ingredients was your problem. Continue reading

Sometimes These 2 Ingredients are Hard to Get Your Hands On

I often get asked by many hypertufa and concrete garden art enthusiasts where to find “silica fume” and “poly fibers”, also referred to as “fiber mesh”. Depending where you live, it may or may not be very easy to lay your hands on this stuff. Continue reading

Please Explain Deflatable Balls for Making
Hypertufa or Concrete Hollow Garden Spheres

I received an email from Debbie asking me:

In the instructions given for the Hypertufa Hollow Garden Sphere, one of the materials needed was a deflatable ball.

Can you advise me where I would get such a ball? What size does it come in and what type material is it made of? (Guess you can see I don’t have any young kids at home nor any grandchildren. ) Continue reading

A Reader Asks Construction Questions About A
Decorative Cast Leaf Fountain

I received an email from Jan R. asking me:

Hi there, I want to make a hypertufa leaf or concrete leaf fountain. After the leaves are made how would I form the fountain and to what? Got any ideas? Thank you for your time. Continue reading