“Hypertufa is an anthropic rock made from various aggregates bonded together using Portland cement. Hypertufa is intended as a manufactured substitute for natural tufa, which is a slowly precipitated limestone rock; being very porous, it is favorable for plant growth.”
Every gardener knows how important it is to attract birds to their garden. They are great at providing pest control and eating weed seeds, and add beauty to our gardens. Providing water is one way to attract these feathered friends, and yet we had no birdbath in our yard. The shame.
I’ve been wanting to work with hypertufa for years now – yes, it often takes me that long to get around to things – so I knew that that’s what I wanted to try using to make our new birdbath. And I decided to use a rhubarb leaf as my mold.
Hypertufa is a lightweight, porous faux rock made to mimic real tufa – a naturally porous sedimentary rock. It is typically made of portland cement, peat moss, and perlite or vermiculite. Since I avoid using peat moss (here’s why), I used coconut coir instead. My understanding is that it’s not “real” hypertufa if it’s not made with peat moss. That’s because peat moss apparently decomposes more quickly creating the holes that make hypertufa, well, hypertufa. It’s ok, I don’t need “real”. I understand that you can also replace the peat moss with sawdust, but I haven’t tried that.
To make my birdbath, I used portland cement, coir, vermiculite and water. It’s important to use 100% portland cement and not a cement mix.
The other items I used were sand, a plastic garbage bag, a 5 gallon pail for mixing, a 2 quart bowl for measuring, a small trowel (and my hands) for mixing, rubber gloves, a dust mask, goggles, and of course, a large rhubarb leaf.
First, I mixed up my cement mixture. I was careful to wear rubber gloves, a dust mask and goggles because cement is very caustic. I didn’t want to breathe it in, or get it on my skin. I mixed the dry ingredients using equal parts of the portland cement, coir, and vermiculite. For the size leaf I used, about 2 quarts of each turned out to be just the right amount. I then added water a small amount at a time and mixed thoroughly until my cement mixture stuck together when I formed a handful into a ball. You want this to be neither soupy, nor so dry that it won’t stick together.
While the cement mixture was resting for 5 – 10 minutes, I prepared my mold.
To form a firm foundation for my leaf, I placed sand into a plastic bag and mounded it into the approximate shape of the leaf.
I covered the sand mound with the bag and placed the leaf on top, bottom of the leaf up. The bottom of the leaf is where all the texture is, so this is the side on which you’ll place your cement mixture.
I then brushed every nook and cranny of the leaf with oil (all I had on hand was olive oil) to keep the cement from sticking to the leaf. I think you could probably use dish liquid instead but I haven’t tried that.
Now, the fun began. I took a handful of cement mixture and formed it into a hamburg-like shape. I placed this on the center of the leaf and patted it until it was smooth and all air bubbles were released. I continued adding patty after patty until the entire leaf was covered. The thickness was approximately 1/2″.
When the entire rhubarb leaf was covered, I carefully smoothed all of the edges.
I then allowed my creation to sit and cure for 3 days.
After 3 days of curing, I turned the birdbath over. Here it is with the leaf still in place.
I then slowly peeled away the rhubarb leaf. The veins showed up perfectly, and a lovely red from the leaf was on the birdbath, but unfortunately it did not remain.
After I removed the leaf, I used a small screwdriver to carefully remove some veins that remained. I then gave the completed birdbath a gentle washing with a hose.
I just lay the completed birdbath right on the ground for the birds (and chipmunks to enjoy)!
Have you ever used hypertufa? What did you make? How did it turn out?
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Kimberly says
This is just awesome! I totally want to make a few of these to lie around, and thankfully I was lazy about pulling off those last few rhubarb leaves (every once in awhile procrastination pays off) – thanks so much for the tutorial!
Susan Vinskofski says
Have fun!!!
Holly (@ Your Gardening Friend) says
Your birdbath is beautiful!! It’s my turn to be proud of you. 🙂
I love the rhubarb veins. Even the smaller, more intricate veins came through.
You’ll have to capture on camera the birds and chipmunks enjoying their luxurious spa. I’d get a kick out of watching the chipmunks bathe in it. 🙂
Great job, Susan!
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for your encouragement, Holly!
John says
Nice work on leaf.
BUT- NEVER put a birdbath on the ground like you show it.
Invitation for cats to kill birds.
See=
http://birding.about.com/od/BirdBaths/fl/Bird-Bath-Placement.htm
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks, John. According to some of the science based articles I’ve read, there are species that actually prefer their water on the ground. If there were lots of cats in our neighborhood, I would move it. I do appreciate your input. 🙂
Donna says
Susan, you are sooo clever ! That is just beautiful.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks, Donna!
Kim Smith says
I love to see someone making something with hypertufa. I really like your leaf. I have tried those too, but without much success. Thanks.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks, Kim. I’m sorry to hear that yours didn’t turn out so well. 🙁
Christine says
Wonderful tutorial….now you gave me an idea on what I can do with my leftover bag of concrete!
Susan Vinskofski says
Glad you were inspired!
Carole West says
I Love this project- I’ll be featuring it tomorrow over at GardenUp green at Tuesdays with a Twist. Hope you stop by and link up! -Carole
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks, Carole!
Toni says
So excited to try this! My five year old son recently purchased something similar from the zoo. (He has autism, so his interests are a little odd for most five year olds!) He’ll LOVE making his own!!!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Karen says
Love the idea, and clear instructions, on using a rhubarb leaf for mold. Other DIY articles I’ve read about hypertufa mention the need thoroughly soak the finished item to leach out the lime in the cement before using as planter or whatever. I’m curious- have you tested the pH of the water in your birdbath, or did I just miss the part where you warned everyone to make sure the birdbath water wasn’t harmful to their birds or squirrels?
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for the tip, Karen.
Anette says
hi Karen,
This looks very cute.
I am also looking after head planters .
You have any idea, who I can do this ??
I am crazy for that right now.
Unfortunately I have no expiration in that.
I start with all this things the first time .
May be , you can help me ????
Thanks
Anette from Germany
Susan Vinskofski says
I hope you can find the info you’re looking for, Anette. I’m afraid I don’t know how to make head planters.
Brenda McMahon says
With the Coir, do you soak it first or use it dry?
Susan Vinskofski says
Brenda, the dry coir is mixed in with the dry ingredients. Thanks for stopping by!
Pam Brown says
Hello,
At the beginning of your article you mention that hypertufa is very porous. So when you make a birdbath, does it actually hold water?
I’m very interested in using hypertufa to make a birdbath.
Susan Vinskofski says
Good question, Pam. The birdbath will hold water for a day or so. This, to me, is ideal so that the birds are always getting fresh water. There are sealers available for concrete, but I’m not sure if those chemicals would be a detriment to the birds.
Lorraine Potter says
Hi Susan,
Do you have a current photo of your birdbath? I’m curious as to what color it is when fully cured. I made a test batch of ‘tufa using coir (instead of peat) and it is quite dark — almost black — after 48 hours. I also used vermiculite, as you did. Does the color lighten up, after its fully cured?
Thanks!
Lorraine
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Lorraine, my birdbath was always on the light side and has only darkened slightly after being out in the weather for several years now. I’m not sure what has caused yours to be so dark.
Calla says
This is a beautiful bird bath and a great explanation. The rhubarb is perfect! I wouldn’t have thought about that. One thing that it’s missing is leeching the hypertufa after it’s initial curing. The reason is that you (or birds) can still get a chemical burn from the hypertufa until the lime has been properly leeched out. Since this is an older post, it’s bound to be leeched by now, but new projects should give their bird baths a soak after it’s hard enough to not be scratched by a fingernail, or even better a screwdriver (bird bath bath!) for a few days changing out the water each day to help get the lime out of the hypertufa.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thank you for the great advice, Calla.
Dina says
Lovely! A friend gave me one of these a few years ago! She painted hers with a mother of pearl paint. She is no longer here with us, so I can’t ask her what she used to paint it. Even if not with mother of pearl specifically…would you know the process of how to paint this material.
Susan Vinskofski says
I’m so sorry, Dina, I’m afraid I’m not familiar with that process. I hope you can find your answer. What a wonderful friend you had!
Maria Graham says
Hello, i am excited about making bird baths, yet, i want to make sure the materials are not toxic to the birds…
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Maria, I have not found any information that says otherwise; it is a very common material for birdbaths. 🙂
Julie Guzman says
Hello, I have followed your instructions using peat moss, portland cement and vermiculite. This is the 4th day of curing and it still seems like it might crumble. Doesn’t seem quite dry. Does it often take longer than 3 days to cure? Thanks! Look forward to your thoughts.
Susan Vinskofski says
If the weather has been wet or humid, it may take a bit longer to cure. 🙂
Sandra Auvenshine says
Thank you, Susan, for clear, specific, and easy-to-follow instructions! I am planning to make several pots tomorrow and place them in shady spots in my gardens since they do leach moisture, as we are in hot Central Texas. These sound perfect for a shady herb garden! I do plan to experiment with leaching the lime and read up on its necessity. Indeed your followers’ comments give food for thought as well!
May our Lord bless you as you bless others.
Susan Vinskofski says
You’re so welcome, and thank you as well for your kind words!