How to Make Concrete Balls

Learn how to make diy concrete spheres for home and garden decor.

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Cook Time 15

Curing Time 18

Total Time 18 15

Yield concrete balls

1 bucket or tub
1 measuring cup
large metal spoon or concrete mixing paddle for a drill
kitchen baking release spray, WD-40, or something similar.
box with packing peanuts or packing pillows, towels, or something to hold the globe in place while the concrete dries.
gloves, protective eyewear, canvas drop cloth, and a hammer to crack the globe after it is set.

Have all your materials handy. See notes for how much concrete and water to use for different sizes of globes.
If you will be stirring by hand, add half of the powdered concrete to the tub or bucket, then add about three-quarters of the water.
When that is fully mixed, add the remaining concrete powder. If you have a concrete mixing paddle, you can add all the powder and three-quarters of the water and mix until combined.
Stir until no dry mix is left. Add water in very small quantities until it just reaches a consistency where it is thick but a little glossy on the surface. You will see the 'sandy' texture when you stir, but when you stop stirring, it will quickly settle back to a smooth surface. You are looking for a thick pudding or oatmeal consistency. Adding too little water is better than adding too much water.
This concrete sets quickly once mixed, so work fast.
Spray the inside of your globe with baking release spray or WD40.
Set it with the opening facing up and pour the concrete into the globe until it fills the entire globe.
Leave the globe somewhere where it can sit undisturbed. Rapid Set will set in 1 hour, but since this is so thick, it will take longer for it to be fully set. I waited about 18 hours.
After 12 - 24 hours, place your globe filled with concrete on a drop cloth. Wearing protective eyewear and gloves, tap the globe until the glass breaks and falls away.

For a 6″ diameter globe (7.8-cup volume), you will need
- 8 cups of Cement All Rapid Set and up to 3 cups of water

For a 7″ diameter globe (12-cup volume), you will need approximately
- 16 cups of Cement All Rapid Set and up to 6 cups of water.

There may be some residual oil spray marks, but they will disappear when it rains.

I like my garden balls the natural color, but if you would prefer, you can add acrylic paint to the wet mix when you are mixing it together. I’d add it to the water for ease of mixing it consistently.

Keyword balls, concrete, garden, landscape, lawn art, spheres

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