Skyrunner: I don't usually 'gush' about paths but yours is perfect for its position. What a brilliant idea! It appeals to the creative side of anyone who does not want to stay with rectangles.
how did you get the nice rounded edges? Did you brush the concrete once it had half set? Also the colour isn't that bare white or grey that concrete often has - did you colour it in some way?
I bet a lot of us gardeners would be interested in doing the same. Do you remember the name of the product or was it just called something like 'path frame'?
I'll try and explain this mould, which I purchased c1999 from Wickes. The mould itself consisted of 9 shapes, all moulded together within and part of the outer mould, random shapes, sizes, around the central hexagon. The inside of the upper surfaces of each shape was already beveled (to give the rounded effect) whilst the bottom of the mould was completely open, so once your concrete mix was put inside the frame, which you placed on bare soil, sand etc, then tamped down the mix, the frame can be lifted away, without disturbing your moulds. The mix should be on the stiff side, to allow the shapes to remain. Now you have completed a section of path, with 9 individual shapes. Continue again, turning the mould clockwise, or anti-cw, or by 180 degrees.
refer to top image. Locate the hexagon in the middle of this image, and its surrounding 8 shapes. Now view same hexagon left side of image, which just was rotated 180 degrees. Now that one is just a mirror image so to speak. whichever direction you rotate the mould for the following section, it will always join up to the previous section, no gaps etc.
I did forget to mention in earlier post, but if you lay this mould onto a sheet of plastic sheeting, on a hard surface, then fill with concrete mix, etc, remove and allow these shapes to set, you now have 9 individual pieces of differing shapes, a which will allow you to lay around bends, corners, other the a 90 degree. See second image of my paths joining. You can even remove any shape from anywhere, and replace with some plants, eg thyme, camomile, etc.
My path has been down since c1999 and so it has weathered, hence the colour. You can purchase various colour sand for your concrete mix, ginger, white, etc, from most builders merchants, rather than a ready made up post mix, (this has aggerate as well) which you just add water, rather than just sand and cement.
I think themould was called something like "crazy paving mould" Just been into the attic, to see if I still have mine, and take photo, but unfortunately no, musts have given it away. Still have around 10 spare to fit if I need later. Just remembered to take image to give an idea of size against size 10 flip flop.
skyrunner: thank you so much for the trouble you've taken rummage, photograph and generally explain how your your crazy paving path mould works. Yes, it will help when I decide where I might want to use it - I have a couple of ideas!
Once in a while someone markets a really good idea and I think that was one of them.
I say 'was' because the good ideas often save shoppers money and therefore, I suspect, could lose custom for the specialist firms, thereby leading to pressure to discontinue the money saving good idea. I know it sounds cynical but I think it happens. I've never seen this product but maybe it's out there somewhere.
On a similar theme, I remember, Geoff Hamilton on GW many years ago, showing how he made garden 'rocks' from left over concrete mix. I tried it very successfully with my own twist.
Basically, you just put the concrete into plastic bags, and roughly push them into any shape you want. My twist was to line the bags with bits of garden rubbish - old stalks, fern leaves, grass cuttings etc. Once the concrete has set, or partially set you can pull the bags off and enjoy the randomness of the unusual shapes and textures.
I found the organic elements weathered down, or wore away leaving quite naturalistic looking stones to build a 'rockery'. You just have to take care not to allow plants in contact too soon until the 'rocks' have leached out most of their residual cement ingredients.
Geoff Hamilton used to make his cementitious products with something he called Hypertufa. Just type hypertufa into google and the search box should show various options as you type the name such as hypertufa recipe, hypertufa moulds (spelt the American way ) etc. [just had a look and there are 10 options].
I've also heard of mixing cow manure with a cement mix and throwing it rough cast in a haphazzard sort of way onto a concrete block wall as a sort of rendering. Plants such as wall flowers will then grow in the dried mix and make itv look completely natural. Must admit though, I've never tried it!
There is a you tube video you acn watch on making hypertufa as well
I see you are using the new growbag trays from Hozelock. I've bought one this season to try it out & so far it's doing very well. Not having to water the plants for 2 weeks and a max/min water gauge in the tray is certainly a benefit. I haven't used growpots on mine though but the other plants in my greenhouse are benefitting from them. Will try and post a photo soon of the greenhouse with plants. Bit tired this evening as I have been on a long bike ride in the Forest of Dean (trying to get the weight down!) and just got back. Gardening's a whole lot easier than biking!
My iris is 'Island Sunset', I love it too. Not sure if I've placed it quite to best advantage, could do with something less bitty. I've got a very black one next to it and they need separating.
Hopefully mine shall get planted out this week, time committing!
But embarrassed to say, they came as a freebie from work!
But shall give em a bash!
The "Auto Pot" I did give a go last year, but not over impressed, but that said, last year was the start of the allotment, building, fencing, pathing etc, so plants n planting was nothing more than a bonus!
Posts
Skyrunner: I don't usually 'gush' about paths but yours is perfect for its position. What a brilliant idea! It appeals to the creative side of anyone who does not want to stay with rectangles.
how did you get the nice rounded edges? Did you brush the concrete once it had half set? Also the colour isn't that bare white or grey that concrete often has - did you colour it in some way?
I bet a lot of us gardeners would be interested in doing the same. Do you remember the name of the product or was it just called something like 'path frame'?
Hi Birdy13
I'll try and explain this mould, which I purchased c1999 from Wickes. The mould itself consisted of 9 shapes, all moulded together within and part of the outer mould, random shapes, sizes, around the central hexagon. The inside of the upper surfaces of each shape was already beveled (to give the rounded effect) whilst the bottom of the mould was completely open, so once your concrete mix was put inside the frame, which you placed on bare soil, sand etc, then tamped down the mix, the frame can be lifted away, without disturbing your moulds. The mix should be on the stiff side, to allow the shapes to remain. Now you have completed a section of path, with 9 individual shapes. Continue again, turning the mould clockwise, or anti-cw, or by 180 degrees.
refer to top image. Locate the hexagon in the middle of this image, and its surrounding 8 shapes. Now view same hexagon left side of image, which just was rotated 180 degrees. Now that one is just a mirror image so to speak. whichever direction you rotate the mould for the following section, it will always join up to the previous section, no gaps etc.
I did forget to mention in earlier post, but if you lay this mould onto a sheet of plastic sheeting, on a hard surface, then fill with concrete mix, etc, remove and allow these shapes to set, you now have 9 individual pieces of differing shapes, a which will allow you to lay around bends, corners, other the a 90 degree. See second image of my paths joining. You can even remove any shape from anywhere, and replace with some plants, eg thyme, camomile, etc.
My path has been down since c1999 and so it has weathered, hence the colour. You can purchase various colour sand for your concrete mix, ginger, white, etc, from most builders merchants, rather than a ready made up post mix, (this has aggerate as well) which you just add water, rather than just sand and cement.
I think themould was called something like "crazy paving mould" Just been into the attic, to see if I still have mine, and take photo, but unfortunately no, musts have given it away. Still have around 10 spare to fit if I need later. Just remembered to take image to give an idea of size against size 10 flip flop.
Do hope this helps.
skyrunner: thank you so much for the trouble you've taken rummage, photograph and generally explain how your your crazy paving path mould works. Yes, it will help when I decide where I might want to use it - I have a couple of ideas!
Once in a while someone markets a really good idea and I think that was one of them.
I say 'was' because the good ideas often save shoppers money and therefore, I suspect, could lose custom for the specialist firms, thereby leading to pressure to discontinue the money saving good idea. I know it sounds cynical but I think it happens. I've never seen this product but maybe it's out there somewhere.
On a similar theme, I remember, Geoff Hamilton on GW many years ago, showing how he made garden 'rocks' from left over concrete mix. I tried it very successfully with my own twist.
Basically, you just put the concrete into plastic bags, and roughly push them into any shape you want. My twist was to line the bags with bits of garden rubbish - old stalks, fern leaves, grass cuttings etc. Once the concrete has set, or partially set you can pull the bags off and enjoy the randomness of the unusual shapes and textures.
I found the organic elements weathered down, or wore away leaving quite naturalistic looking stones to build a 'rockery'. You just have to take care not to allow plants in contact too soon until the 'rocks' have leached out most of their residual cement ingredients.
Geoff Hamilton used to make his cementitious products with something he called Hypertufa. Just type hypertufa into google and the search box should show various options as you type the name such as hypertufa recipe, hypertufa moulds (spelt the American way ) etc. [just had a look and there are 10 options].
I've also heard of mixing cow manure with a cement mix and throwing it rough cast in a haphazzard sort of way onto a concrete block wall as a sort of rendering. Plants such as wall flowers will then grow in the dried mix and make itv look completely natural. Must admit though, I've never tried it!
There is a you tube video you acn watch on making hypertufa as well
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcRJ2XbPA3I
Here are a couple of pics of the greenhouse
Nut, I love the colour of that iris, it is sensational
Nut and Quercus lovely iris.
John I do wish I had a greenhouse.
My iris is 'Island Sunset', I love it too. Not sure if I've placed it quite to best advantage, could do with something less bitty. I've got a very black one next to it and they need separating.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Cheers John!
Hopefully mine shall get planted out this week, time committing!
But embarrassed to say, they came as a freebie from work!
But shall give em a bash!
The "Auto Pot" I did give a go last year, but not over impressed, but that said, last year was the start of the allotment, building, fencing, pathing etc, so plants n planting was nothing more than a bonus!
See how we got his year!
"Go this year!"
Must Be bedtime! 