Do You Know What Hypertufa Is? I Didn't.

     What a funny word Hypertufa. Maybe you gardeners know what it is, but I thought it was the funniest word I'd seen in some time! As a garden lover I still had no clue. If you are as confused as I was, read on! 

     According to Wikipedia: Hypertufa is a anthropic rock made from various aggregates bonded together using Portland cement. It is intended as a manufactured substitute for natural tufa, which is a slowly precipitated limestone rock, being very porous, favorable for plant growth. Hypertufa is popular for making garden ornaments, pots and land forms. It is relatively light compared with terracotta or traditional concrete and can withstand harsh winters, at least down to -30 degrees C (-22 degrees F). It was invented for use in alpine gardens where gardeners formerly used antique animal watering troughs, which became rare and expensive. 

     Martha Stewart loves Hypertufa too! In March 2010 on Martha Stewart Living online, she wrote the following: Years ago at a flower show, a group of rustic garden containers caught my eye. They were made from a stonelike material known as hypertufa, which mimics a type of rock. I was intrigued to learn that the planters were composed of just three accessible, inexpenisve substances: perlite, Portland cement, and peat moss. When I realized pots so impressive could be shaped using basic molds, they became even more appealing. It's not often that a process as rudimentary as making mud pies yields such a sophisticated result. You can read more of Martha Stewart's article here http://www.marthastewart.com/268091/pots-with-a-personal-touch-hypertufa 

     Local master gardener, Judy Wright, is holding a Hypertufa Class this weekend at , in Monroe, if you are interested in getting your hands into Hypertufa! Spaces are still available. Classes are Friday and Saturday at 10am. Cost for supplies is $35. Call the shop for more information at 678-635-8750.

     Interested in seeing what shapes and sizes you can make with Hypertufa? Visit Pinterest and see the many images posted under DIY Hypertufa http://pinterest.com/crafty60/diy-hypertufa/.