Concrete Garden Projects: Easy & Inexpensive Containers, Furniture, Water Features & More

by Malin Nilsson, Malin Nilsson

For gardeners and backyard do-it-yourselfers, concrete is a revelation. It's durable, weatherproof, impossible to steal, and it provides much-needed insulation for outdoor plants. Concrete weathers beautifully, softening around the edges, developing moss, and becoming more picturesque with age. Concrete Garden Projects takes advantage of concrete's numerous assets, showcasing an inspiring array of creative options. The step-by-step instructions for dozens of easy, do-it-yourself décor ideas include containers of all shapes and sizes, elegant benches and stools, miniature ponds and birdbaths, stepping stones, a barbecue, and a fire pit. The authors use a variety of molds easily found or made, household items like bowls and baking pans, and simple wooden frames and boxes. At pennies per pound, and so simple to use—just mix with water and pour—concrete is the key to hand-crafted backyard décor.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Crafts

131 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2011

Reviews

[Amanda J Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book while thrifting. in recent years I have liked the aesthetic of concrete more and more, so I bought the book. I don't regret it. The directions are easy to follow with lots of pictures showing each step. Look out world. I'm making a concrete grill table!

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not know that I will ever take on any of these projects, but it was very interesting to see how easy it is to make concrete knick-knacks, containers, and more!

[Rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool projects. I love concrete too but it’s not very environmentally friendly. I may try one or two projects for fun but ima stick w up cycling. All love

[Linda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was the fortunate contest winner of this book, a gift certificate to Home Depot, and foam molds to create concrete address numbers. The project for the house numbers was a video garden project presented on the Timber Press website.

A couple of years ago I made some stepping stones with concrete with found “treasures” around the house, but when I saw Concrete Garden Projects, I realized there were many other things I could make with a little concrete. I love projects that repurpose and use found items.

This book has inspiration as well as specific instructions for creating useful concrete objects for the yard. There are a variety of pots using either homemade molds or other containers you have around the house. There are also mini-ponds, birdbaths, tea lights, and other decorative items. The last section of the book is the Project Handbook with step-by-step instructions and photographs for working with concrete and molds. There are instructions also for adding decorative touches to your concrete project.

The photographs are nicely done and most are full-page. Most of the projects are easy and can be made with things you have around the home or inexpensive kitchen or candle molds. This is a great book for those who love their patio spaces!

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look at concrete projects - quite accessible to the average gardener. The creative use of ordinary household items for making garden art, functional planters, and even water features is clearly shown through the use of good photography and easy-to-follow instructions. This is a good book to add to the Library.

[Norma Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book with plenty of garden ideas and easy to follow directions. I love making things out of concrete and this book is a step by step manual that I keep close by.

[Ligaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the way this book was organized. Beautifully styled photos of the finished projects are all at the beginning of the book. Short text accompanies each project. And these projects are simple but elegant. The instructions for making the pieces, complete with easy step-by-step directions and clear photos, are at the end. The authors write with an encouraging tone. Having worked with concrete before, I know I can be successful crafting each of the projects. This book would be great for beginners but also a quick review of little projects that more experienced crafters could easily do.

[Cherei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I VERY much enjoyed, 'Concrete Garden Projects' by Camilla Arvidsson and Malin Nilsson. This book will save you quite a bit of money making cool things out of cement! We've been doing quite a few do it yourself projects in our backyard this year.. and found out how expensive SIMPLE concrete benches cost at one's local nurseries. After wasting precious gas driving from nursery to nursery, store to store.. we finally decided that we could handle mixing a little water with cement.. and making our OWN garden pieces!

Right now.. a bag of quick set concrete already mixed with sand.. costs around three dollars a bag. For some of the larger projects in this book.. you'll need a few bags of cement, and a little faith in yourself! That's it! I figure.. we saved ourselves a few thousand dollars. No one is the wiser.. that we made our OWN designs..

If you're looking to make some homemade gifts for folks to put out in their backyards for Christmas.. then this book.. is sure to inspire you with some GREAT ideas! A gift.. that you will select.. a bag or two of cement.. and your recipient will love and cherish! We'll keep it our little secret.. that the gift itself.. if you were to buy.. would cost a great deal more! Shhhhhh!

I only wish that they would have put the step by step, how-to pictures of the projects in the same chapter as the item. Instead of doing them all in a huge index in the back. They DO have step by step instructions.. but, one has to flip back and forth for little tips.

I can't wait to try and do some of the smaller projects that are in the book! I always wondered how one made a form from an existing item.. without ruining it. Now, I feel confident enough.. to take something I've been wanting to duplicate.. and making my own mold!

This book is sure to be a major hit with all do it yourself (DIY) homeowners!

[Astrid Yrigollen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a treat to read. It has several projects with step by step instructions from easy to slightly more advanced but not uber-difficult.The molds and methods that are used in this book are quite easy to find and chances are you probably have them in your home already, if not they are readily obtainable.There are several projects from this books I plan to make.

[Ita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good pics of the projects. The explanations for making the the projects are nice and simple with good illustrations. Not sure if it's worthy of being a whole book, though.

[Kelly Haverlandt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing - I was hoping for more detailed instructions on how to make some of the featured projects....

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun ideas and clear instructions - a good garden project book.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non-Fiction; Home Improvement
3 stars

[Celest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent ideas, straightforward instructions, and wonderful pictures. I feel like I could do many of these projects now (and that the projects are worth doing).

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

First half is photos of projects. Rest is how-to with lots of photos and instruction.

[Megalion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives basic ideas. Useful for starting. But pretty sure there are better books out there.

[Diane Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun easy concrete projects are included in this book, with some easy to understand instructions in the back.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good ideas, very lovely pictures, good ideas

[Jaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent pictures, suggestions for molds, and instructions.