Hypertufa? What is that?

Hypertufa is an anthropic rock from various aggregates bonded together using Portland cement.

Hypertufa is popular for making garden ornaments, pots and land forms. The South Schuylkill Garden Club will host a hypertufa garden pot workshop at 6:30 p.m. on March 17. The public is invited to make one of these items in the social hall of the Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.

Hypertufa is a lightweight version of stone pots. It is made of peat moss, sand, perlite, Portland cement over or inside a form.

Water is added to the mixture, it is packed into a previously supplied mold, then sealed or covered in plastic and allowed to cure for up to two months.

The object may be temporarily removed from its wrapping after 24 hours for trimming and/or distressing, after which it is re-wrapped.

After the hypertufa object is completely cured, it is removed from the plastic, rinsed thoroughly, and allowed to sit exposed to the elements for several more weeks to reduce its otherwise-toxic surface alkalinity. It can then be used to hold plants.

Hypertufa was invented for use in alpine gardens. Alpine gardeners formerly used antique animal watering troughs, which became rare and expensive. Participants in the workshop will be given all the supplies to make a pot approximately one half gallon in size.

For more information, contact Kim Morgan at 570-739-2626 or kamorgan11@gmail.com.

There is a $10 fee for the workshop, payable to the South Schuylkill Garden Club. Payment can be made in check form on the evening of the workshop.