Alpine Sink- the finished article

 Just an update on the alpine sink I've been working on over the past week or so.
After our trip to Ashwood nurseries, I was able to plant the sink up. I've chosen what I call 'specialist' alpines. They tend to form cushions of growth and, with a limited size, you're able to fit more in!
The compost mix I have used is recommended by AGS (the alpine garden society). I have joined the AGS this week and they have their first meeting this week with raffle and plant sales table (more purchases...) The mix is:

2 parts loam (I used sieved molehills. J Innes 2 or 3 would suffice)

2 part peat (composted bark if you prefer) 

1 part sand

1 part grit

There is no added fertiliser as alpines need little in the way of nutrition.

The finished article.

Hard to believe it started life as a white Belfast sink! The hypertufa has turned a lighter colour now it has dried out abit making the sink look more stone-like.

I've even been busy this week making a smaller sink for some alpjnes. I've used an old washing up bowl and a plastic propagator lid as moulds. I put a 2" layer of hypertufa in the bottom of the bowl and put the propagator lid on top then I filled in the gaps with more mixture. I left it two or three days to harden and then removed it, drilled two drainage holes in and placed it outside to weather and to continue 'curing'.

My free form sink. A shallow trough like this is ideal for cushion alpines which require sharp drainage.

I think I've got the hypertufa bug now! Loved the first sink so much I've started on the second sink...

Having some hypertufa mix left over I thought i'd have a play. I filled a plastic plant saucer (the mix doesn't stick to plastic very well so it makes removal easier) and then pushed some shells into the mixture before it set. Now I have a nice plaque I can either put on the wall or prop against some pots in the garden.

You can even make stepping stones like this one I made...

..or, for those of us who never grew up, why not make a face? Tuck this guy amongst some plants and he'll give your guests a surprise when they stumble across his gaze...

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration to try hypertufa. Its dead easy and a lot of fun. I would urge anyone who hasn't had a go before to do so.