Allotments 4 All

I just had to show you my Grot. William O told me about Hypertufa on a different board and this is my first Grot. I am so pleased with him!

Hi Plocket, nice to know you're pleased with me ... or was that the grot you're referring to  ;D

Your grot looks quite a happy chap, with a big smile on his / her face. Mine have to do without mouths and are a bit more grumpy and sinister looking with fiery red eyes (some glass marbles I saved from when I was a kid) and thick eyebrows. The baby elephant is rooting between the rose and hydrangea, and appears to be quite happy.

How's progress on the staggered "wheels"

Come on you two, fess up, how do we make one?

Hi Doris it really is great fun.

The basic material is Hypertufa (1 part cement 1 part sand and 2 parts peatmoss - which I've substituted by multypurpose garden compost)

There is quite a good link with lots of info. I was surprised how easy it is to make and use.

http://www.efildoog-nz.com/hypertufa.htm

Thus far I've made two grots, a baby elephant and some Tufa stones with holes in it for my hardy succulents. But I won't stop there.

What a brilliant idea you two!!! How about some piccies of yours then William? Love to see the elephant.  :D

Eileen.

Would love to, but I have to get acces to a digital camera or scanner first .... So you'll have to be a little patient with me  :-\

Thanks William, This could be a good project for 2 very bored teenagers next week! Looks like fun ;D

Of course I'm pleased with you William, and my Grot! And I didn't want anything too scary otherwise Little Plocket might have had nightmares!!!

Coppit has reminded me that Geoff Hamilton brought this stuff to GW viewers YEARS ago. It was William who told me about Hypertufa and how it is being used for more that rocks and tubs nowdays. It is great fun and well worth a play.

Mrs Grot has appeared! I think she may have to be moved away from Grot because I don't want the garden to be taken over by baby Grots!

Oh Plocket - your grots are great, especially Mrs. Grot - is that an earring I see :D  Would love to have a go at them but I dont think my dogs would appreciate faces looking up at them from the borders ;D ;) :)

Hello Gardengirl! You do indeed spy green earings - Little Plocket's addition (to make her [Mrs Grot] look more feminine!). Mrs Grot has now been moved to a quieter spot where she is going to keep an eye on the bird feeders, and scare away any rogue cats (including mine!). I'm hoping the pair will mature nicely - they are both in shady spots so may even get a layer of moss on them. Fingers crossed! I'm hoping others will be inspired and we will soon have a gallery of Grots to admire.....

Plocket they are lovely. I may just try to make one myself when I get some time to myself one of these days when schools are back. Making your own planters also looks interesting, I'm always looking for rustic looking pots that are different from those mass produced ones available at the garden centres. I also like the weathered look, have you tried brushing with live yoghurt, I heard that speeds up the weathered look but have never tried it myself.

Hey Jesseveve!

I think I am correct in saying that William has put milk on his elephant, but I haven't put anything on mine. I haven't any spare yoghurt handy (only strawberry flavoured!) and can't help thinking that it might go all smelly and horrible! Both are in shady places so hopefully the moss etc. will get to them fairly quickly anyway.

Do have a go at making a pot - and have a look at the link William suggested because it has lots of ideas.

I didn't realise you had such talent Plocket, those are excellent, here's one I made earlier...
Joke no I didn't :o 8) I must have a go tho. ;D


Roy ;D

He he! Actually Roy you recommended a link which showed that picture so I have already seen it. Amazing doesn't quite cover it! My grots are just a tad smaller!!! I hope they will become green and mossy, and I can only wait and see!

Te He! here's another one I lade earlier...


Roy ;D

Plocket did you see Graham Norden show Sat night 6pm? A young lady teaching us Hypertufa and how to make a pot that went terribly wrong :o but was hilarious and I thought of you. ;D ;D ;D

Roy ;)

Didn't see Graham Norton Roy, but that lying down grot is absolutely fantastic! Is it from Heligan?

Sorry Plocket it might help if I gave the correct name of the presenter and show. It was Denis Norden’s 6th Laughter File, and the American girl was desperately trying to make a Hypertufa pot that kept collapsing and sent her into fits of laughter and me too! ;D ;D ;D

Yes it was Heligan Gardens its picture we took whist on holiday in Cornwall, I believe it to be called Mudaid, try this link…
http://www.heligan.co.uk/home/home_lant/page7_lant_large.html


Roy ;D

The link is excellent Roy, but I think your photo is better because we can see much more of her. Stunning! That's what I call a garden sculpture! I have the book of the redevelopment of Heligan and would love to go. It's nice to see such natural looking sculptures - I wouldn't mind knowing how big she is though. I have assumed larger than life!

Still didn't watch Denis Norden though!!!