Hypertoufa planters, those trough-like containers that look like expensive, antique cement planters and are usually filled with wonderful oddities from the world of succulents, are one of the most easily made, yet under made garden crafts. The materials are all available from the local hardware store and anyone who can make a mud pie stands a good chance of success in making a hypertufa planter. Sure, it can be messy, but when has that deterred a gardener from creating something unique and wonderful for their garden? Hypertufa planters are a wonderful way to bring the look of stone into your garden. They can be left out all year and, unless you get carried away with size, are light enough to move about.

The link above will take you to you to several different recipes and some wonderful suggestions to get you started. Take it a step further and create lanterns, bird feeders and one of a kind scultures. On her web site Timpy Works, Donna Grimstvedt, mud pie maker and tufa fanatic, goes from the basics to art with a series of tufa tutorials. There's a nominal fee for the more advanced tutorials, but her instructions are very easy to follow and it's like paying for a private lesson.

Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2007) licensed to About.com, Inc.