Materials:
- Portland cement
- Peat moss
- Perlite
- Water
- Pantyhose
- Elastic bands
- Bucket
- Scissors
- Measuring cup
- Wooden spoon
- Hot glue gun
- Rope
- Plastic cups
- Plastic drop cloth
- Gloves and dust mask
- Moss and craft glue (optional)
Instructions:
- Wearing protective gloves, a dust mask, and working in a well ventilated area, mix equal parts cement, peat moss, and perlite in a bucket (the mixture us called Hypertufa)
- Thoroughly mix the dry content together using a wooden spoon
- Slowly add water to the mixture and mix until contents are wet, but not soaking… like firm oatmeal. You should be able to make a ball in your hand without it dripping and falling apart (if there is too much water, add small amounts of equal parts dry contents)
- Once mixed, cut a 6”-12” length of pantyhose, tie the bottom, and stretch around the outside of a plastic cup, leaving the excess inside
- Spoon the concrete mixture into pantyhose until you have the amount you want to make the size of pumpkin you want
- Remove the pantyhose from the cup, tie the top, and form the concrete into a ball shape
- Add 4 elastic bands equally spaced around the concrete ball to make the indent lines of the pumpkin
- Place concrete pumpkin in plastic and store in a cool place to cure for several days
- Once dry to the touch, cut the elastic bands off and remove the pantyhose
- Cut pieces of rope approximately 2”-3” long and attach on top using a hot glue gun to make the stem
- Optional: add craft glue to the top of the pumpkin and then sprinkle green moss on top