| How to Use Gym Equipment Posted: 06 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST If you haven't used gym equipment before, the thought of using it incorrectly, especially when other people may be watching, can be intimidating. But don't let that stop you from getting fit and having fun at the gym! Just take some common-sense measures, read a few instructions and diagrams, ask for help when you need it, and listen to your body while working out. Also remember to focus on your own goals instead of whether anyone is watching you—unless, that is, your goal is to get noticed! [Edit]Weight Machines - Repetitions and sets: Especially when you're starting out using weight machines, aim to do 10 reps (repetitions) per set. For instance, do 10 consecutive lat pulldowns before taking a short break. Aim to do 3 sets total for each machine. If you can't do 3 sets of 10 reps, cut back on the weight you're trying to lift.[1]
- Alternatively, if you feel like you can easily do 15 or 20 reps per set, increase the weight a bit.
- A good strength training session should take around 30-60 minutes. Aim to do 2-3 sessions per week, allowing 48 hours of rest between sessions.
- Lat pulldown machine: Lat pulldowns can help you get rid of those slouched shoulders! Select a weight that you can do with moderate effort. Adjust the seat so your knees fit under the thigh pads and so that you can reach the pulldown bar with your outstretched arms. Relax your shoulders as you slowly pull the bar down to touch your upper chest, then slowly guide it back to the starting position.[2]
- Don't shrug your shoulders or crane your neck backward while pulling the bar downward. Keep your upper body still and upright.
- Seated row machine: Select a manageable weight, then adjust the seat so you can reach the handles with your outstretched arms while keeping your chest comfortably pressed against the chest pad. Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed as you pull the handles to within a few inches/centimeters of your chest. Slowly return the handles to the starting position.[3]
- Remember to keep your back straight! Don't lurch backward, arch your back, crane your neck, or hunch your shoulders.
- Seated chest press machine: If the machine has 2 separate weight stacks, make sure they're set at the same weight. Adjust the seat so the hand grips are at mid-chest height and your bent elbows are even with or slightly in front of your chest, not behind it. Extend your arms fully outward while keeping your back planted firmly to the seat, then slowly retract the hand grips to the starting position.[4]
- Don't roll your shoulders forward or lean forward. Keep your back straight and use your arm and chest muscles. Imagine you're pressing the seat backward instead of pushing the hand grips forward!
- Assisted pull-up machine: Start by setting the weight—but with this machine, which counterbalances your body weight, setting a higher weight makes the job easier! Climb the 2 steps, then get a firm grip (either overhand or underhand) on the handles above you. Step onto the foot bar, one foot at a time; it will dip down and raise the weight stack. Keep your legs, back, and neck straight and pull your body straight up with your arms until your eyes and hands are level. Slowly lower back down to the starting position.[5]
- When you're done with your set, slowly step back off of the foot bar, one foot at a time, onto the top step. Keep ahold of the handles above you until you're back on the top step, then carefully climb back down to the floor.
- Leg press machine: Select a comfortable weight for doing 10 reps, then adjust the seat. With your back flat against the seat and your feet flat against the plate, your shins should be at a right angle to your thighs. Slowly extend your legs until they're nearly—but not fully—extended, then slowly return to the starting position.[6]
- Don't extend your legs fully and lock your knees—you may cause knee pain or injury.
- Use the hand grips at your sides to maintain your body position. Keep your butt, back, neck, and head planted firmly against the seat.
- Leg extension machine: Be very careful to select a reasonable weight here, so you don't put undue strain on your knees. Set the machine so you can sit firmly against the seat back with your knees at right angles and your shins pressed against the padded bar. Hold the grab bars and steadily raise your legs until they're fully extended out in front of you, then slowly lower your legs and the weight.[7]
- Don't thrust your hips forward or press down on the grab bars to lift the weight. Focus on using only your quadriceps muscles. Reduce the weight if necessary.
[Edit]Free Weights - Reps, sets, and sessions: Just like with weight machines, aim to do 3 sets of 10 reps (repetitions) for each free weight exercise. If you can't lower and lift the bar 10 times during a bench press set, for example, cut back on the weight until you can. If you can easily lift it 15 or 20 times, add some weight.[8]
- Whether you're doing only free weights, only weight machines, or both, a typical strength training session should run around 30-60 minutes. Plan to do 2-3 sessions per week, with at least 48 hours of rest between sessions.
- Bench presses: Start with just the bar, which typically weighs between , or add limited weight so you can focus on your technique. Choose an attentive "spotter," a helper for lifting the bar off the rack, putting the bar back on the back, counting your reps, and giving encouragement. Lie flat on your back and grip the bar at slightly beyond shoulder width with your arms nearly fully extended. Lift the bar off the rack with your spotter's guidance, then slowly bend your elbows, lower the bar to your chest, and extend your elbows to raise the bar back to the starting point.[9]
- Don't arch your back—keep it flat on the bench. Move slowly and deliberately so you keep your arms (and the bar) even and balanced. Your spotter should be ready to help you as needed!
- As you get more comfortable with the bench press, you can try widening and narrowing your grip to target specific muscle groups.
- Squats: Perfect your technique with body-weight squats before adding weights. Start by standing with your feet at shoulder width and your toes turned outward between 5 and 30 degrees. Keep your feet flat on the floor and your chest puffed out. Engage your core, bend your knees, and push your hips back as you slowly lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Pause for a moment, then reverse the process to return to the starting position.[10]
- When you're ready to add weight, start by holding a pair of dumbbells in front of your shoulders. Hold them steady throughout the process.
- Wait until you're fully confident in your technique before advancing to barbell squats (with the bar behind your head). Grasp the bar with both hands and keep it in contact with the back of your shoulders throughout the process. Use a spotter!
- Biceps curls: Stand upright with your feet at shoulder width and the dumbbells in your hands resting against the sides of your legs. Bend your elbows very slightly and face your palms forward. Keep your legs and upper body steady and engage your core as you bend your elbows and raise the dumbbells to your shoulders, pause for a moment, and slowly lower them to the starting position.[11]
- Or, raise 1 dumbbell at a time, alternating arms with each rep throughout your set.
- Go slowly and pause at the top and bottom of the maneuver so you don't use the momentum of your swinging arms.
- Keep your elbows tucked against (or in close proximity to) your sides.
- Triceps dips: If your gym has parallel bars, try this classic triceps dip using only your body weight at first. Stand with the parallel bars at your sides, grip them firmly, and lift yourself up until your arms are locked. Your arms and upper body should be straight and parallel. Bend your knees at 90-degree angles and cross one ankle over the other. Dip down, keeping your body straight, until your elbows are at about 90-degree angles. Repeat to complete your set.[12]
- When you're ready, attach a weight plate securely to a properly-fitted weight belt—get help from a staff member if you're new to using them. Start with a very light weight, such as . Use the same technique as with a body-weight dip.
- If your gym doesn't have parallel bars, there are triceps dip variations that require nothing more than a bench. The parallel bars dip, however, especially with a reasonable weight added, provides the most complete workout.
- Barbell rows: Add a limited amount of weight to the bar, since it's critical that you're able to maintain good technique during barbell rows. Stand with the bar on the floor about in front of you. With your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees slightly and bend over at the waist. Grip the bar securely with both hands, palms down. Engage your core, squeeze your shoulders, and lift the bar straight up until it touches your chest. Look straight ahead and keep everything but your arms still. Slowly lower the bar and repeat.[13]
- Use slow, steady motions. Don't jerk the bar upward or arch your back. If you feel any back pain, stop, take a break, and try using less weight during your next workout session.
- Lateral arm raises: Stand straight up with your feet at hip-width and a dumbbell in each hand, resting at or near your hips. Engage your core and keep your back and arms straight as you steadily lift your arms out to your sides simultaneously until they're parallel with the floor. After a momentary pause, steadily lower your arms back to the starting position, then repeat.[14]
- Do not flap your arms wildly or thrust your shoulders back. Maintain a steady, controlled motion throughout and keep your legs, core, and head still.
- Don't start out by using heavy dumbbells! Use lighter weights so you can maintain your form and perfect your technique, then slowly increase the weight.
[Edit]Cardio Machines - Workout frequency: The average adult should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise per week. That means that using a treadmill, stair climber, or elliptical machine for 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times per week will put you well on your way to reaching your goal![15]
- Exercise is considered moderate intensity if you're breathing hard enough that you can't sing a song, but you can still carry on a conversation.
- Each minute of high-intensity exercise (when you're breathing so hard you can talk but not carry on a conversation) counts as 2 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.
- Consult your doctor before starting a cardio regimen if you have existing health conditions or live a sedentary lifestyle.
- Treadmill: Climb up onto the machine before starting it up. Choose a preset program that suits your fitness level, health goals, and expertise with the machine. Grasp the handles and start walking slowly when the walking surface starts moving. Whether you're walking, jogging, or running, stay centered on the walking surface and keep your feet beneath you. If you can't keep up the pace, slow the machine down![16]
- With a preset program, you'll start slow as a warmup, get moving a bit (or a lot) faster during the main part of the workout, then slow down again to finish up. You can manually increase or decrease the treadmill's speed as desired, but try to follow the preset as-is if you're new to using a treadmill.
- Most treadmills let you manually or mechanically increase or decrease the incline of the walking surface; increasing it ups the intensity while decreasing it reduces the intensity.
- A light- to moderate-intensity treadmill workout should last around 20-30 minutes. If you're doing a high-intensity running workout, it may last only 5-10 minutes.
- Stair climber: With the machine off, grab the handles and ascend the staircase. Choose a preset program that suits your needs and goals. Maintain a normal stepping motion with your feet beneath you, making sure not to drift down the moving staircase. Continue to grip the handlebars throughout. Use the buttons on the machine to decrease or increase the pace of the machine if necessary.[17]
- Like with the treadmill, aim for 20-30 minutes of low- to moderate-intensity training.
- Elliptical: Before starting up the machine, put your feet firmly on the pedals and get a good grip on the handles. Once you select an appropriate preset and get moving, get a full workout by engaging your arms and legs. Push and pull with your hands and use a rotating motion with your legs. Keep your feet flat and pressed to the pedals. Stand up straight and engage your core muscles.[18]
- Once you get comfortable with the forward motion, try going in reverse. You'll rotate your legs as if you're walking or running backward!
- A low- to moderate-intensity workout should last around 20-30 minutes, while a high-intensity elliptical session may only last 5-10 minutes.
[Edit]Health, Safety, and Success - Start slow if you're new to working out or have health conditions. It's great that you've decided to hit the gym and get fit, but don't overdo it! Ease your body into your new workout routine to reduce your risk of injury. And, especially if you live a sedentary lifestyle or have existing health conditions, consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen.[19]
- Start out by going to the gym 2-3 times per week, for maybe 30 minutes at a time. Listen to your body for cues—such as moderate or severe soreness—that you're overdoing it.
- In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you work with a physical therapist before starting a solo exercise program. Or, you might decide to work with a trainer, at least to start out.
- No matter your health situation, there is an exercise program that's right for you!
- Observe an experienced person before trying new equipment yourself. If you're working with a trainer or with a friend who has more workout experience, watch them use the machine before trying it yourself. Observe how they adjust the equipment, their body positioning, their technique, and their pace. Ask questions and get tips from them.[20]
- If you're working out alone, discretely watch people who clearly know what they're doing as they use various pieces of equipment—for example, while you're drinking some water or stretching out. Ideally, observe people who have a similar body type to yours.
- Inspect the gym equipment for signs of excessive wear or damage. Worn-down or broken gym equipment can be dangerous. Before using any piece of equipment, take a quick look for signs of wear or damage. Alert a staff member if anything seems out of sorts.[21]
- As with unsanitary conditions, you're better off finding a new gym if the equipment, in general, appears excessively worn or damaged.
- Disinfect each piece of gym equipment before and after you use it. The days of simply wiping down gym equipment with your sweaty towel are long gone! Use a disinfectant cleaner and a clean cloth or paper towel to thoroughly wipe down each piece of equipment before and after use.[22]
- Cleaning gym equipment thoroughly is a matter of both common courtesy and public health.
- Adjust the equipment to suit you, according to the instructions. If a piece of equipment has posted instructions or diagrams, check these out before attempting to adjust or use it. Once you're sure you know how to make adjustments, use any levers, knobs, dials, etc. to fine-tune the equipment to suit your body type, fitness level, and goals.[23]
- If you're not sure, for example, how to adjust a leg press machine or treadmill, ask a staff member. Don't just make your best guess!
- Start out with lighter weights and focus on perfecting your technique. Don't worry about putting on a show! Instead of maxing out on the weight you're trying to lift, start with lighter weights so you can more easily maintain good technique. Once you've mastered your technique, you can then start to ramp up the weight.[24]
- Generally speaking, you should be able to do 10 repetitions (reps) without your technique breaking down any. If you can easily do more than this, increase the weight a little. If your form starts to break down before 10 reps, cut back on the weight so you can focus on technique.
- Use even, steady movements and keep your body under control. Using gym equipment the right way isn't about showing off, and it also isn't a race! Body control is the key to good technique, and good technique is critical to a truly beneficial workout. Focus on remaining under control and using smooth, steady movements.[25]
- For instance, you should be doing biceps curls with a smooth, even motion, not a jerking, stop-and-go motion. Relax, focus on your technique, and reduce the weight if necessary.
- Being under control doesn't necessarily mean going slow. There's nothing wrong with getting your legs pumping on an exercise bike, for example. That said, don't go so fast that your movements can't remain fluid and under control.
- Exercise in front of a mirror so you can keep an eye on your technique. Using a mirror at the gym doesn't have to be about vanity! Use the mirror to observe yourself in action, and pay close attention to your form and technique. That way, you can make on-the-spot adjustments to get the most from your workout.[26]
- If a mirror isn't available and you're working out with another person, have them observe your technique and give advice as needed.
- Listen to your body before, during, and after your workout. Yes, you should "feel the burn" while working out, but you shouldn't feel outright pain! Stop what you're doing and take a break if you feel unexpected pain or discomfort. If it doesn't pass within a few minutes, cut short your workout and give your body time to rest. If the pain worsens or lingers, contact your doctor.[27]
- If your body is still sore from your last workout, give it more time to recover before working out again. Generally speaking, you should allow for at least 48 hours of rest before exercising a particular muscle group again.
- A good fitness routine might include lifting free weights 2-3 times per week, doing cardio 2-3 times per week, and doing flexibility or range-of-motion activities 1-2 times per week, all the while making sure to give your body ample recovery time.
- If you feel faint or unexpectedly short of breath, stop what you're doing, sit down, and try to relax. If you develop chest pains or other signs of a potential heart attack, get medical help right away.
- Along with cleaning off a piece of equipment when you're done, show courtesy to others by putting it back where you found it or resetting it for the next use. That means re-racking the dumbbells in the right spot and shutting down your program on the stair climber![28]
- Listen to upbeat music that helps you focus and get moving. Upbeat, up-tempo music is particularly useful when using cardio machines, but a good playlist can add motivation to any workout. Choose music that you love and that makes you want to get up and get moving. Pour the energy boost you get from the music into your workout![29]
- Schedule time with a trainer who can explain the purpose of each exercise machine, show you how to adjust it properly, and walk you through the movements so you can get the most from each machine. A trainer can also explain the aerobic machines as well as other equipment, such as medicine balls and stretching apparatuses.
[Edit]Warnings - While gyms are a great place to get healthy, they can also harbor sources of illness. A healthy gym will look clean, have employees that engage in regular cleaning, have ample signage reminding everyone of the importance of keeping things clean, and have easily-accessible cleaning supplies for customers' use. If your gym lacks these things, find a new one![30]
- If you're reading this during the COVID-19 pandemic, make sure any gym you attend is closely following every guideline ordered by government health authorities. And, even then, working out at home may be the safer option.
- Read all the safety warnings before using any piece of equipment. A medicine ball may not have a safety warning on it, but a leg press machine and a treadmill certainly will! Don't just ignore these warning stickers and start using a piece of equipment—instead, take a few moments to read over the safety material.[31]
- Use a spotter if you're working with free weights. If you're doing curls with dumbbells, maybe you can get by without a second person acting as your spotter. However, if you're doing squats, bench presses, or similar free weight exercises, make sure to have an attentive spotter who can help you as needed.[32]
- Don't get into competitions with other members, trying to lift more weight or set your treadmill for a faster speed. Not only will you compromise your own workout, you may also injure yourself.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Hypertufa Planters Posted: 06 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST Are you tired of clay or wooden planters? Would you like to give your garden a different look? Hypertufa, or tufa, plant pots have a coarsely textured, stone-like appearance that's pleasing to the eye. With their thick, porous texture, they are good containers for smaller plants, such as cacti, succulents, and alpine plants. These are versatile pots that you make yourself, so they can be any size that your heart desires. Make sure you set aside some time, though, as the hypertufa process can take up to 3 weeks to complete! [Edit]Preparation - Cover a flat surface with a plastic tarp. The best place to do this project is outside or somewhere with a lot of ventilation (like your garage). If you don't want to get your surface area messy, put down a plastic tarp or sheet to keep it clean. Otherwise, work on the ground or somewhere you don't mind spilling cement and dust.[1]
- You can find plastic tarps at most hardware stores, and they're always useful to have around for messy projects like this.
- Grab a wheelbarrow or a plastic bucket for mixing. Hypertufa planters will make quite a crunchy mess, and they can stain the containers you use to mix them in. If you're attached to any of your buckets or tools, don't use them for this process. Instead, grab a bucket, wheelbarrow, or large plastic bowl that you don't mind getting a little messy.[2]
- You can also use a large, shallow pan for easier mixing.
- You can clean off your mixing container with a hose when you're done.
- Gather cement, peat moss, and perlite. The "ingredients" for your planters are very important, and you actually have a few options that you can choose from. What you absolutely do need, though, is Portland cement (not a mix, just straight Portland cement), sieved peat moss (to remove the sticks and stones), and perlite.[3]
- If you aren't sure about using peat moss, you can use coir (coconut fiber) instead.[4]
- If you don't want to use perlite, you can use vermiculite instead.[5] Vermiculite will make your planters harder than if you use perlite.
- Separate the ingredients out into their ratios. You can make as much or as little hypertufa as you'd like, depending on how many planters you want and how large they are. The most important thing to remember here are the ratios: you always want to use 3 parts peat moss or coir, 2 parts Portland cement, and 3 parts perlite or vermiculite.[6]
- When you measure them out, use volumetric measurements (milliliters and Liters) for more accuracy.
- Separating the ingredients beforehand will be much easier, and it will make your project go faster, too.
- Make a mold out of plastic or cardboard. Here comes the fun part: figuring out what size and shape you'd like your planters to be. To stick to simplicity, use a cardboard box or a clean litter box for a rectangular planter. If you want to get a little more fancy with it, you can mold your own shape by using styrofoam and taping it together.[7]
- To make your planter with a divot in the middle (for the plants!), make a square out of cardboard or styrofoam and then put a smaller square inside of it.
- If you're using a wood mold, be sure to line it with plastic first so the mixture doesn't stick.
- Put on some gloves to protect your hands. While the hypertufa mixture isn't particularly harmful, it can be messy and might dry out your skin. Grab a pair of rubber kitchen gloves and put them on before you start making your mixture, just to be safe.[8]
- If you're working outside, you don't need to wear a mask. If you're making your mixture indoors, consider wearing one to protect your lungs from harmful dust.
[Edit]Making the Hypertufa - Mix the cement, peat moss, and perlite. Remember when you divided up all of your ingredients? Now you get to use them! Grab a plastic bucket or a wheelbarrow, then pour your ingredients into it. This part gets super dusty, so make sure you're working outside or wearing a dust mask.[9]
- If you're making a large batch, a wheelbarrow is your best bet.
- Add water in slowly. Measure out about of water into a separate bucket. Pick up the bucket and add it just a little bit at a time, stirring it into your ingredients with a shovel or a wooden stick. Keep adding water super slowly until your mixture has reached the right consistency. The goal here is to make your mixture thick and creamy so it's not dusty anymore, but you don't want to water it down too much, either.[10]
- This is why going slowly is so important! If you add too much water, you'll have to measure out more dry ingredients, which can be a pain.
- Pick your mixture up and squeeze it. If it releases a few drops of water, you're good to go! If it's still dry, add more water. You want it to have some moisture present without being too thin or watery.[11]
- If you added too much water, you'll need to put in more dry ingredients. Remember to keep the same ratio if you add more!
[Edit]Molding the Hypertufa Planters or Pots - Pack the hypertufa into the bottom of your mold. Start by picking up handfuls of the hypertufa and pressing it down into the bottom of your mold, aiming for a layer that's about thick. If you're using a square or rectangular mold, remember to really pack it into the corners to avoid any holes in your planter.[12]
- Aim for no holes or gaps in the layer so your planter is consistently flat and smooth.
- Smooth more hypertufa onto the sides of the mold. Once the bottom is done, you can carry the hypertufa mixture up the sides of your mold, again aiming for a layer that's about thick. Remember to really pack it into the corners of your mold to reinforce the planter.[13]
- Keep your gloves on for this! It will make the process go much faster.
- Press a smaller box into your mold to hold the shape. Grab a box (if your mold is rectangular) or a pot (if your mold is circular) that's about smaller than your mold. Press it into the center of your mold to keep the hypertufa in its shape as it dries. If there's any holes or gaps, fill those in with more hypertufa until it's solid-looking.[14]
- The smaller portion inside will hold the sides in place as the hypertufa dries, so make sure your mixture is really packed in there.
- Clean off your tools before moving on. Hypertufa dries pretty quickly, and it's super hard to scrape off once it's dry. Spray your tools and mixing container out with water before you move onto the next steps so your cleanup job is easier.[15]
- If you forget to spray off your tools, you might have to scrape them off later on. It's annoying, but it can be done!
[Edit]Curing the Hypertufa - Wrap the planter in plastic and set it aside for 14 to 36 hours. Here comes the hardest part: waiting. Wrap up your planter or pot in a plastic tarp and set it somewhere that it can stay cool and dry. After 14 to 36 hours, unwrap it and test the softness by scratching it with your fingernail.[16]
- If your fingernail leaves a mark in the planter, wrap it back up and leave it for a few more hours. If it doesn't make a mark, you can unwrap the planter and move onto the next step.
- Remove the planter from the mold. This part can get a little tricky, so take your time. Carefully take out the inside portion of the mold, then peel back the outer layers. Your hypertufa planter is still pretty fragile, so try not to bump it around too much. Set it on a flat surface so you can work on it a little bit more.[17]
- It might be useful to have 2 pairs of hands here, so don't be afraid to grab a friend for some assistance.
- Smooth out the corners with a wire brush. Your planter may come out looking a little bit rough and bumpy at first, but that's nothing a wire brush can't fix. Scrape it gently along the outside of the planter, focusing on any bumpy, sharp, or rough edges. How it looks is totally up to you, but it's best to do this now while the planter is still a little pliable.[18]
- If you want to texturize your planter, rub the wire brush all over the outside for a more artistic approach. This will give it some lines and stippling.
- Leave your planter in a shady spot for 2 to 3 weeks. If you want to protect your planter even more, wrap it up in plastic again before setting it aside. Leave the planter alone for at least another 2 weeks, if not 3, so it can really set in its shape.[19]
- If you use your planter too early, there's a chance it won't hold its shape or it could crack. Patience is key!
- You'll know your planter is ready when it's lighter in color and it weighs less, too.
- De-lime the planter with water or vinegar. Once your planter is fully cured, there's one more crucial step before you can put plants in it. The lime from the dry ingredients will still be present, and it can be harmful to the plants or the soil that you put in your planter. For the next 3 to 7 days, spray down your planter with water to de-lime it completely. If you want to be extra sure, spray it down with a diluted white vinegar mixture before you rinse it off.[20]
- You can also leave your planter out in the rain for 1 week for a natural de-liming process.
[Edit]Decorating and Using Your Planters - Drill a hole in the bottom for drainage. If you're keeping your planter outdoors, you may want to add a few drainage holes in the bottom. Attach a masonry bit to your drill and flip your planter over, then add 2 to 3 holes in the bottom to allow water flow. This step is totally optional, so don't feel like you have to put in the extra work.[21]
- Hypertufa is naturally porous, so it will leach out some of the water from the soil on its own.
- Seal your planter if you're planting plants that love moisture. Hypertufa is porous, so it does retain some of the water that you'll use to water your plants. While this is great for some plants, it can harm ones that need and love a lot of moisture. If you're worried about your planters sucking up too much water, spray them down with a concrete sealer and let them dry for about 1 day.[22]
- FlexSeal and Valspar are 2 popular concrete sealer brands.
- Plants like bellflowers and iris love moisture, so you may want to seal your planters for those ones.
- Fill your planters with soil to put them to use. Now that your planter is ready, you can fill it up with potting soil and add any type of plant that you'd like! Flowers, herbs, ground cover, and shrubs all look great in these natural-looking planters, and you can put a few next to each other for more decoration.[23]
- Try mixing and matching a few different plants in each container to spruce them up.
- If your planter has a drainage hole, make sure you set it on top of rocks or wood to allow it to drain.
- Try not to drop your hypertufa planters. Once your planters have cured and set, they can last pretty much indefinitely. However, if you drop your planters onto a hard surface, there is a chance that they could crack or break. Use caution when you move them around to keep your planters intact for years to come.[24]
- If your ratio of ingredients was off, your planter could break down over time.
- Avoid letting water freeze inside your planter. Remember how porous hypertufa planters are? If they fill with water and then freeze, the water could expand so much that it cracks your planter open. If you're going to have some freezing weather, either take your planter inside or don't water it until the cold spell is over.[25]
- Most plants don't do well in freezing weather anyway, so it's a good idea to take them inside.
- You can mix up your dry ingredients ahead of time and store them in an airtight container until you need them.
[Edit]Warnings - Always wear gloves when working with Portland cement, as it can irritate your skin.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - 3 parts peat moss
- 3 parts Perlite
- 2 parts Portland cement
- Water
- Container in which to mix (wheelbarrow, large plastic bin/bucket)
- Gloves
- Shovel or trowel
- Plastic plant pots or other containers to use as forms
[Edit]References |
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