Learning how to make concrete rhubarb leaves is not only fun for adults, it’s also a great activity for kids. After all, who doesn’t like playing with wet cement?
It started innocently enough. I brought to memory what we had done with aunts and cousins many years ago. We got together at my aunt’s house, and all got to make a stepping stone.
Ours were just round molds. I think we used styrofoam plates for the form. After all, there were quite a number of kids. We pressed in handprints, and colorful stones as well as seashells.
My mom was immediately interested. This would make a great activity to do with the grandkids, so we planned to do it yet this fall.
It took a couple of weeks before our busy schedules allowed it, but in early September, we got together and made some beautiful leaf-shaped stepping stones.
Are you also interested in learning how to make rhubarb leaf stepping stones?
The instructions are super simple. Anyone can do this. All you need is rhubarb leaves, some chicken fence wire, and dry mix cement.
Concrete rhubarb leaves make a beautiful path in your garden. The intricate design is eye-catching and yet blends in perfectly for a natural look.
Leaf-shaped stepping stones are always a huge hit, but there are not many plants whose leaves get big enough to make stepping stones.
At least not around here. Some poplar leaves might make interesting stones, but they would still be too little to step on.
Because we are having a beautiful late season here in Alberta, my rhubarb leaves were still perfectly green.
You want to pick them the day that you are making your rhubarb leaf stepping stones because they will wilt after a while.
The leaves we had all came from my garden. We had 18 in total but ended up using only 11 because we ran out of cement mix.
How To Make Rhubarb Leaf Stepping Stones
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1.Choose Your Location
You need a place where the cement will be able to dry, preferably someplace with a roof, as well as a flat surface on which to place the leaves.
Plywood works great. Cover them with garbage bags if you want to protect them.
We did ours in a tarp shelter. Also, make sure you choose a place where the rhubarb leaf stepping stones won’t be in the way. I’ve heard too many stories of vehicles driving over them and breaking them!
2.Supplies You Need
You need dry cement mix.
One bag makes about 3 big leaves.
A wheelbarrow, a water source, a shovel for mixing, rhubarb leaves, chicken fence wire, and gloves.
3.Preparing Your Leaves
On a flat surface, spread out your leaves face down so that you can see the underside of the rhubarb leaf.
Then place a small piece of chicken fence wire onto the leaf, making sure any sharp edges and corners are bent in so that they won’t poke feet when walking on them.
4.Mixing Your Cement
In your wheelbarrow, dump put your bag of cement mix. Mix according to directions.
You don’t want your mix too thick or it will run off the leaves, as well as cause your leaves to be too thin. Your cement should not be runny.
5.Pouring and Shaping
Scoop a couple of handfuls of cement onto a leaf, adding and shaping until you have the desired thickness as well as shape.
Aim for stones that are at least 1 ½-2 inches thick.
6.Drying Time
Depending on your weather as well as your cement, drying times will vary. Allow at least 3 days before washing.
7.Washing and Displaying
Now you are ready to remove the rhubarb leaf and reveal your beautiful stepping stone! Peel of the rhubarb where possible.
Rhubarb leaf bits will get stuck in the crevices of the leaf form, you will need to wash it off with a garden hose. If bits of rhubarb leaf remain stuck, don’t worry about it.
They will dry up and fall out with time.
I am very excited to put my concrete rhubarb leaves in my garden. A perennial garden would be the ultimate location for these.
While I only got a couple of the rhubarb leaf stepping stones that we made this time, I plan on making many more next summer.
It is very important that you choose a place that they can dry, out of the rain somewhere. Also, they are not moveable until after they have dried.
Be sure to take that into consideration when planning the location where you will be forming these.
Simple and yet so pretty, rhubarb leaf stepping stones are sure to be a conversation starter in your yard, and last for years to come.