How to Make Garden Signs With Concrete Letter Stamps

Decorative stepping stones and small signs add character to any garden. They're even more fun if you made them yourself. Making garden signs using concrete stamps is fun and easy. Get your children involved; they make wonderful gifts for family and friends who love gardening.

Things You'll Need

• Concrete, vinyl or the regular, non-gravel mix Measuring cup Water Old bucket or wheelbarrow (for mixing concrete) Stirring stick or flat garden trowel Mold for the sign or stepping stone Cooking spray or WD40 Stick Decorative stones Concrete stamps Old cloth or towel

Instructions

1. Use an old bucket to mix the concrete in, or mix it in a wheelbarrow. Pour 2 cups of water into the bucket or wheelbarrow and add 2 1/2 pounds of concrete. Mix for one minute. Then add 2 1/2 pounds of concrete and mix for another minute. Add the remaining concrete and mix for three minutes. Adjust the mixture by adding more concrete until the consistency of the concrete is tacky.

2. Spray the mold by lightly with cooking spray or WD40. Instructions with many premade molds will say this step is not necessary, but it will make removing the mold easier.

3. Pour the concrete into the mold. Shake the mold and gently stir it to remove air bubbles. Smooth the concrete with the flat side of the gardening trowel.

4. Use the stick to lightly write your message into the concrete. If it doesn't look good, smooth the concrete with the trowel and try again. After five minutes, press any decorative stones into the concrete.

5. Wait for the concrete to set. Time needed for this will differ according to the mix, but will be between 15 and 25 minutes. Wait a little more than the time stated; you might have to use more pressure with the stamp, but it will prevent the concrete from filling in the space once you have lifted out the stamp.

6. Place the stamp on the concrete. Press straight down--don't rock it--using both hands. Leave the stamp in place while you push in the next stamp. This will prevent the first letter from losing its shape. If you are not repeating letters, leave all the stamps in until you have finished the word before removing the stamps. Remove by lifting straight up; don't rock the stamp.

7. Move the finished sign carefully to a dry area and place it on a flat surface. Allow the concrete to dry for 48 hours. Turn the mold and concrete upside down on an old cloth or towel. Gently peel the mold away from the concrete, then tap the bottom to break the suction between the mold and the concrete. Remove the mold.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the mold and draw its outer edge onto a piece of paper so you can practice with the stamps and decorative stones before mixing. There are different websites that have gardening thoughts, including The Spirit of Gardening and All Crafts Only.

• Supervise children when making concrete signs and stepping stones.

Resources

• The Spirit of Gardening
• All Crafts Only