How to Age Garden Stone and Concrete
Add History to Hardscapes with Manure, Moss, Yogurt and Buttermilk
Oct 19, 2009
New concrete bird baths, stone walls, patios and urns may be too bright and pristine for some gardeners. If this newness doesn't appeal, a little history can be added by aging the concrete and even the stone in the garden. All it takes is a little moss or a little manure.
Aging Concrete with Moss and Bacteria
Gardeners can speed up the aging process with this method. Consider the places where lichen and moss would naturally grow – in cracks and crevices, for instance, or low down in the shadows, facing away from the sun.
Paint a mixture of equal parts plain yogurt and buttermilk over the areas on concrete or stone that need to be aged. While the yogurt and buttermilk mixture is still wet, rub some sheet moss over the area. The bacteria in the yogurt mixture will encourage the spores to grow and the gardener will have a mossy stone wall, ornament or path in no time. Keep the area moist to help it along, but cover it with clear plastic to do that rather than a regular watering. Once it takes on the plastic can be removed.
Gardeners will find fresh sheet moss in garden centers, but if legal access to a woodland is possible, the gardener should look for fallen tree trunks and boulders that are covered in this green spongy moss and pull a little away. When removing moss from a forest or woodland, always leave some to grow on. Consider harvesting small portions from different locations.
Aging Stone or Concrete with Manure
For that crusty lichen-covered look, apply fresh cow manure to the areas of stone or concrete that need to be aged. The gardener doesn't need to touch the “moo poo” with her hands. Wear gloves and apply it with a sponge or paint brush. If the gardener doesn't have access to fresh manure, she could use the dehydrated manure available from garden centers, and mix it well with water. Fresh is best, but this will work almost as well. Cover with clear plastic to keep it moist until it shows signs of working. The newness of the concrete will leave the piece and lichen will begin to form in crusty darkened areas.
Add Some Moss Between the Cracks
To take the aging a step further, use one or both of the above treatments in the cracks that separate stones on a walkway. Brush the mixtures between the cracks and sprinkle moss over those areas. They will soon fill in.
Aged concrete is warmer and less austere. Aging concrete, is softening and can add history to the garden ornaments and hardscapes in a very short time.
These methods are perfect for "new" ruin gardens or stone follies. It helps had the ruinous look along with a sense of history.
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