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I am looking for way to use up some broken concrete from a building we tore down. I was thinking a walk way, but information on a wall or other interesting projects would be great.
I've given a new life to pathways and retaining walls by recycling old concrete walls, driveways and pathways back into the garden.
below is a pix of my side yard stepping stone path using pieces of an old concrete walkway that was once a straight narrow path of concrete in the approximate same location.
I like the meandering look better in this garden than the old 2 foot wide straight path that was there before.
The publishers of Sunset magazine have done lots of articles on recycling old concrete into new garden elements.
If you do a search on their website you'll find all kinds of links to articles and pix's.
Looks great. What is growing between the pieces of concrete ? We have a path similar, but need to plant something that is carefree and covers pretty like yours. Right now we have grass...and it's not working so good for us. Too much weedeating, and not all that attractive.
I have used broken concrete for a low wall around a raised bed and for a patio put together out of fairly large pieces. The area for the patio was scraped out with an excavator that a friend has, lined with driveway cloth, and the concrete pieces were then set in sand so they could be leveled. I put acompost-topsoil mix between the concrete slabs and planted various steppable groundcovers (mostly elfin thyme, wooly thyme, and creeping thyme, but also blue star creeper and som tiny ferny things whose name I don't remember). The project is still under construction, putting a garden border around it, and maybe some paths leading to it...takes a long time when operating between work and school. I have never done anything like this before, so I have to ponder each new stage of construction.
I love the broken concrete paths and walkways. I have one that was prolly an actual whole concrete walkway over 50 years ago. I'm going to dig out and space them a little more, plant some scottish moss and allysum between, and do broken tile and glass mosaic on the larger pieces.
desert_witch, How do you go about doing mosaic on top of concrete? What do you use as an adhesive, and how would you seal it to protect from weather? Any other information about this technique would be appreciated. My broken concrete patio has some pieces that have paint stripes on them that I would love to be able to conceal in some way.
Mauryhillfarm,
I have doneboth broken tile and stained glass mosaic on concrete stepping stones, red brick, cinderblocks and wood. Your best adhesive for anything outdoors is thinset. It's like mortar. Buy it by the bag (cheaper) and mix it per directions, or buy premixed in a bucket. I prefer the bags, so I can mix up just what I need for each job.
Until you get the hang of designing as you go, for abstract designs or simple themes,; or for complicated patterns, cut/break your tile or glass and lay it out as you would on the concrete piece. Then trowel a 1/4 inch or so of thinset on the concrete. Score it (either with one of those grooved trowels, or just make diagonal stripes in it with a broken pencil or little stick.
Keep a mister bottle of water handy to prevent the thinset from drying to fast as you work, but don't get it too wet. I Usually spread ("butter") the backs of the larger pieces of tile with a little bit of thinset to help them stick better. When you set the pieces of tile, give them each a little twist and push into the thinset. Leave enough space for grout between the tiles/glass; at least 1/8" but no more than 1/2".
After it's all done, take a straight 2" X 4" a couple feet long, lay it flat on the tile and tap (lightly pound!!) to level the tile pieces. Do this in different directions so you don't have points sticking up later, after you grout.
Let it dry 24 hours.
Grout. (let me know if you need info on grouting)
when it's totally dry (couple of days, depending on weather. If it's very hot, or in direct sun you'll want to mist it several times a day to keep the grout from dryng too fast and cracking.), seal it with an outdoor tile and grout sealer. (I use several coats)
dezeiner...another great look is to take the broken concrete pieces and lay them on edge as a border between the lawn and garden, particularly a cutting garden! just a suggestion...Elaine
YW. I've marked that thread for my future use since I have a "virgin" yard & need some nice "natural" landscaping materials for accenting the planned beds I'll be having. GL
I love the look of broken concrete for so many things and you can get it free if you look around. Here you find it thrown out in the desert by the side of the road and you can just pick it up. I love it but my DH has no vision because I cheated and layed it down with out sand to level it so he does not want to do it anymore but I want to show him your picture deviant. thanks
I am interested in the advice on laying broken tile on concrete. desert_witch stated that if I have questions about how to do the grout let them know. Well I have questions. Once I lay the tile and have it in place is that when I add the grout? Is there a clear waterproof sort of shalack I would put over it? It will be outdoors. Please any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
