The recipe is simple, the process easy and the result fabulous – a one-of-a-kind concrete garden walkway. All that is needed is a little time and a few ordinary ingredients to create this unique garden feature.
Easy Preparation
The first step is to determine the size and shape of the stepping stones desired and find a mold. Large leaves from rhubarb, grapes or other plants work very well. Wooden frames or wet sand can also be used for a mold.
In addition to a mold, hyper-tufa stepping stones require the following supplies:
- Sphagnum moss (shredded or long-fibered) or peat moss
- Perlite or vermiculite
- Sand or fine gravel
- Cement (coloring is optional)
- Page wire
- A container large enough for the amount of hyper-tufa to be made
- A mixing spoon or stick
Once all the supplies are gathered, prepare a worksite where the stepping stones can be made and then left to dry.
Mixing the Ingredients
Hyper-tufa recipes vary but this one has had considerable success.
- One part moss (pack it down if long-fibered)
- One part vermiculite or perlite
- Two parts sand
- About one and one-quarter parts cement
- Water
Mix the ingredients together, adding water and cement until the mixture has the consistency of a stiff mud pie. The mixture should hold its shape without water pooling on the surface. Straw or sawdust can be added to the mixture for texture.
Create Stepping Stones
To make the stepping stones, mound some sand on a work board or plastic and place the leaf (or other mold) with the ribbed side on the sand. Pat the cement mixture onto the leaf, making sure to follow the leaf’s outer edge. Pat down firmly to push out any air bubbles. The mixture should be 1-2 inches thick.
Cut a piece of page wire in a shape slightly smaller than the leaf and place it on top of the mixture. Put another 1-2 inches of hyper-tufa mix on top of the wire. The total thickness of the stepping stone should not be less than three inches in the middle and tapering down to at least three-quarters of an inch at the outside edges. The stone needs to be strong enough to withstand walking without breaking.
Drying Time
Allow the mold to dry for two or three days while misting daily to keep the surface moist. The mold may also be covered with plastic to keep it damp.
The total drying time will vary depending on humidity and temperature but the stepping stone is usually ready to be placed in the ground, with the leaf facing up, after four days.
Once in the ground, the leaf will dry naturally and can be removed with a strong spray of water from the hose.
Great Results
Once complete, hyper-tufa stepping stones are a unique garden feature. Different leaves and sizes can also be used to add different textures and looks. It is an easy way to add a beautiful and practical feature to the garden.
