how can i turn cement into concrete for a planter

[SpiderTrev]

I wanted to do a project making a concrete planter that i found a guide for online, so i went to wickes, but i bought cement instead of concrete. I have lost my receipt and they will not let me swap it
i have seen online i can make it into concrete by mixing 1 part cement with 2 parts sand and 4 parts gravel, but i think gravel sounds too course for a planter and i think that might be for paths etc rather than something smaller like a planter?

does anybody have any recommendations for things i can buy and mix to make concrete please? or am i better off just taking the loss and buying concrete?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Probably cheaper (and certainly easier) to cut your losses.

 

[SpiderTrev]

thank you. that was the answer i feared
maybe the cement will come in useful some time for another project.
thank you

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Or it will gradually turn into a solid lump whilst sat in your garage/shed for the next few years.

 

[SpiderTrev]

haha yep, probably that

out of interest, what would be the problem with using straight cement? would it break down?

 

[23vc]

Assuming you’re talking about pouring it into some kind of form work, mortar won’t have the strength and it won’t work.
I’ve always done these planters with dense blockwork and render.

 

[SpiderTrev]

yes i will be pouring it into a form of some kind. not sure exactly what yet.
excuse my lack of knowledge, but what do you mean by blockwork and render? do you mean the stones (blockwork) and sand (render)?
thank you

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Assuming you’re talking about pouring it into some kind of form work, mortar won’t have the strength and it won’t work.
I’ve always done these planters with dense blockwork and render.

I assumed they were proposing to make thin moveable planters rather than ones built on the ground?

 

[SpiderTrev]

sorry, i should have mentioned. i will be aiming for planters that are approximately 45-60cm internal diameter, so quite big, but not huge.
i plan to make lots more in the future and i plan to make them bigger as well as smaller if it works out, so would be interested in your best practice recommendations for both.
thank you both very much!

 

[23vc]

, but what do you mean by blockwork and render?

This, but as FMT said, I assumed you were talking bigger planters.

 

[SpiderTrev]

ah i see. that is beautiful work! nice job! and you have definitely inspired me to do something like that in the long term. i am going to start looking at how i can fit something like that into my garden thank you

 

[cdbe]

Buy a bag of ballast and a bag of sharp sand - try a mix of 4 ballast, 2 sharp and 1 cement - you need some big stones in it for strength but a bit of extra sand will make it smoother.

 

[SpiderTrev]

thank you
i will buy some sharp sand and some ballast along with a bag or two of concrete in case it goes wrong
i would hate to see the cement go to waste.
thank you

 

[cdbe]

Don't buy concrete - it really is just ballast and cement mixed together.

 

[SpiderTrev]

okay, thanks! i won't get concrete then.
i have found these at wickes, do you think they would be okay?
thank you!

Tarmac Sharp Sand - Major Bag | Wickes.co.uk

Tarmac Sharp Sand - Major Bag

www.wickes.co.uk

Tarmac Ballast - Major Bag | Wickes.co.uk

Tarmac Ballast - Major Bag

www.wickes.co.uk

EDIT:
i think i am confused. does the ballast contain the sand too? so i would just need 4 parts ballast to 1 part cement? and no sand?