How to make your own concrete plant pots

It's surprisingly easy to make your own bespoke containers.

You will need

• 1 x bag of Ready Mix Concrete

• Large mixing bowl or bucket for concrete

• Plastic containers or bowls that fit into each other

• Sieve or similar

• Jug for water

• Cooking oil and kitchen towel

• Weights or stones

• Your choice of Resene paint finish (if required), and Resene Walk-On Concrete Clear in Clear Satin

Tools

• Drill with masonry bit

• Flat paddle or stirring stick

• Sandpaper

• Paintbrushes

Cost

$42 including concrete, plastic bowls and masonry bit.

This excludes Resene products. I used Resene Walk-On Concrete Clear in Clear Satin.

Step 1: Prepare concrete

Sieve the ready mix concrete into a large mixing bowl, then prepare it according to the manufacturer's instructions, to the consistency of pancake batter.

Step 2: Get two bowls and oil

Get two bowls, with one that fits inside the other. Generously oil the inside of the larger bowl and the outside of the smaller bowl.

Step 3: Add concrete

Fill the larger bowl to over halfway with the concrete mix.

Step 4: Add smaller bowl and more concrete

Put the smaller bowl into the mix (without it touching the bottom of the larger pot). Fill up the larger bowl with more concrete, if necessary, until it reaches near the top of the bowl. Tap around the larger bowl with your hand to release any air bubbles.

Step 5: Weigh down bowl

On a flat surface, put the weights into the smaller bowl and anchor down as necessary. Allow to cure as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 6: Release bowls

Once set, remove the weights and pull on the bowls to release from the concrete. A gentle tap can help. Sand down any rough edges.

Step 7: Drill hole

Drill a hole in the centre of the pot for drainage.

Step 8: Paint

Coat the pot with Resene Walk-On Concrete Clear in Clear Satin.

This story written by Jane Horne/NZ Gardener originally appeared on Stuff and was republished with permission. Read the original here.