I started making these eco planters for gifts a year ago and haven't
stopped. They are simple, stylish and downright lovable. Each pot is
unique and has an organic, handmade feel. It is not an instant
gratification project and you will have to commit, but the results are
well worth it. I like to make about six at a time.
What You Need
Ingredients
Cement (it's the glue that binds the other ingredients)
Vermiculite (you can use sand instead, but the planters become very heavy)
Peat moss, pearlite, gravel or rock (add for fun!)
Materials and Tools
Gloves
Apron
Food containers
Plastic Bucket
Succulents
Shovel
3 - 9 x 12 pieces of sheet metal or plexiglass. (Approximate 9 x 12. Just an easy size to work with.)
Needle nose pliers
Scissors
Sand paper
Drill
Instructions
The ratio is one to four. One part cement and 4 parts anything else.
To make six different sizes of planters shown here, we used 4 cups white
portland cement and 16 cups vermiculite.
1. Collect recycled food packaging for molds. Pay attention to
unusual shapes. Wash them and spread out to find proportional molds.
For instance, a cottage cheese container in an ice cream container works
well.
2. Combine the dry cement mixture in a plastic bucket using one part cement, and 4 parts vermiculite. Use gloves when mixing.
3. Slowly add water as if you were making dough, being sure
to add the last part of water slowly. Humidity can affect how much water
you need. It should be the consistancy of peanut butter. (It looked too
dry to me but you will be suprised.) The mixture should clump in your
fist and hold its shape. We used a drill to mix the materials but a
shovel will work if you don’t have one. Be sure to wash it immediately
after mixing.
4. Transfer mixture to one of your recycled containers.
5. Tap the container on your work space to make sure it settles in until the top is flat and even.
6. Push a smaller container into the larger one.
Remove the displaced cement mixture and put it back in your bucket. I
like to put it in off center to give it that cool modern look.
7. Place the sheet metal on top and flip it over.
Move the container back and forth to get the top nice and flat. Leave
to dry for at least 24 hours
8. To remove the molds, tear off the outside mold if
it is paper or use a knife to cut off plastic molds. Pull out the
inside mold with pliers.
9. Sand the edges smooth
10. To create drainage, drill holes in bottom. Let dry for at least two days before drilling.
11. Plant a succulent!
Cut open the carton so it lies flat, as shown; put aside the cap for now. Dry the inside with the paper towels. Tape the template on top of the carton so that the top circle lines up with the spout. Mark the outline of the template with a ballpoint pen. Using firm pressure, trace the lower circle and the dotted lines of the template so that they transfer to the carton. (This will score the lines for easier folding.) A ruler will help you mark the straight lines. Cut out the shape from the carton. 
Use scissors to cut out the lower circle as marked. (Tip: To make cutting out the circle easier, first make an X with a craft knife.) Use a ruler and a butter knife to further score the fold lines. 
Following the fold lines you marked, create an accordion fold on each side of the wallet. 
Tightly squeeze the accordion folds. Fold the top flap down, pushing the spout through the hole. Screw on the cap to keep the flap in place.
