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Here is a before and after of turning a small dirt area into a cute patio with just some concrete.
It is amazing how you can transform a small space into something pretty, and it completely changes the entire area of your yard! Like this little corner garden we did many years ago.
Turning a Small Dirt Area Into Cute Patio With Just a Concrete Mold
This area by the garden shed or “little house” as we call it has never grown grass well. It is under trees, but also gets some run off.
We bought this concrete mold from Amazon and made a little patio.
It turned out so cute!
And we even took it a step further by filling in the cracks with some sand, but you don’t have to do that. We have made other concrete mold areas without doing that, and it turns out great too.
By the way, I never intended on doing a post over this, but I have gotten many messages over the last year on Instagram about how we changed this area, so I put together a quick post! It is not as in-depth as I normally do, but it is really a simple process. It just takes time!
Step one:
First, we just cleared the area and made sure it was level everywhere. This was the hardest part because we have rocky soil and had to dig up a lot of rock to make everything level. Then, make sure you purchase a good mold. I recommend this one from Amazon because of the pattern. It turned out great.
Step two:
Next, we mixed up concrete and started filling in the mold! When the concrete is set a little, you can pull the mold up and do the next part. If you want it to go faster, you can also buy two molds and alternate them.
It took a few days to complete, but since this as a small area, it wasn’t overwhelming.
Step three:
Once concrete has set and dry a few days, you can leave it like this or come in with a filler for the cracks. We came back with polymeric sand to fill in the cracks. This made it less bumpy and easier to sweep. But this is optional! We have used these concrete molds for sidewalks and don’t use anything to fill the inside!
Here are some pictures of how it looks now after filling in the cracks with polymeric sand. We did this several months after finishing the concrete. It is a great place to play and ride tricycles too 🙂 This small dirt area is now a cute patio and much better for kids!
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
What a wonderful idea! You know, on another DIY subject – I’ve been using a mixture to kill terrible poison ivy around my house/yard. I don’t know why it sprung up with all the flowers this year, but it’s been a real trial. I haven’t wanted to use store-bought chemicals so I made the mixture of Dawn soap, white vinegar and salt. I used kosher salt, only because it came in a large box. The crystals are large. I mix it at night and by the time morning comes, the salt has melted. The next day I use the spray. I have to do it often because it covers such a large area, but it’s working. There are already dead plants and these grow underground in a vine. All I do is spray the leaves.
Cat
Awesome!! I am not sure if you have been using our DIY weed killer, but it is fantastic even for poison ivy. It can kill it down to the root which is key. It has been helpful!
Bloody great job , looks good
Thank you!