How to age concrete with yogurt?

The article aims to answer the question “how to age concrete with yogurt?”. It will also highlight the easy ways you can have the “aged-concrete” look yourself.

How to age concrete with yogurt?

You can age concrete with yogurt, but it is not recommended. To paint with yogurt does not equate to “aging,” but rather to paint with what is essentially milk paint.

A complex procedure including acids, lime, salts, and high-pressure water jetting is required if you want to “age” the concrete. Concrete that has been treated with yogurt or other topical treatments merely seems unclean and neglected, not “aged.”

Moss, buttermilk, and water may create an aged effect. Some artists use this affordable moss combination to create “moss graffiti” on concrete containers. Yogurt and water retention gel may be added to the buttermilk and moss to keep the moss wet.

What do I need to age concrete with yogurt?

• Water soluble paint
• Garden soil, compost, or well-rotted manure in a tiny container.
• Yogurt.
• A small bag of garden soil, well rotted manure or compost.
• Garden moss
• Paintbrush
• Gloves
• Bucket
• Water

How can I age the concrete with yogurt?

• When painting, mix a tiny bit of paint with water to form a thin solution that resembles filthy water, and then apply it to the item and wait for it to dry before removing it.
• To get the desired level of darkness, you may use this base coat as many times as necessary to cover the whole item, or you can focus on specific regions until you’re satisfied.
• Then comes the dirty part! Mix your yogurt with equal amounts of water and soil/manure/compost to form a thick paste in the bucket. Their size will determine the number of items you need.
• Apply a good layer of paste on your item while using gloves and a paintbrush. Don’t forget to cover all the corners, crevices, and recesses where dirt and moss and lichens would naturally accumulate, as well.
• Spread the spores from the moss by rubbing a handful of moss over the item, paying particular attention to the natural recesses.
• Keep your item out of direct sunlight to speed up the aging process. Your new ‘old’ thing may be an excellent area for moss to grow, so have a look around your yard to check where moss is already present, and you’ll be on the right track.
• Before beginning the procedure, bury little decorations in the ground or immerse them in the muddy dam to induce natural aging, both of which are helpful.

How does yogurt make moss grow on concrete?

Your Moss may thrive in the yogurt’s nutrient-rich environment. The yogurt will absorb the pot’s or concrete’s porous clay. To assist your Moss to grow, set your pots in a dark, excellent location and give them frequent watering.

When you buy new clay pots for your garden, encourage Moss to grow on them. Garden sculptures and moss-covered pots appear as though they’ve been there for a long time.

• A blender with a cup of plain yogurt is all that is needed. Remove some moss from an old pot or perhaps a tree and add it to your new one.
• If there’s a little dirt in there, don’t sweat it. Moss and yogurt should be pulverized until they form a homogenous mixture. In a small basin, add the solution.
• A paintbrush should be dipped in yogurt and brushed onto a piece of pottery or another object. Thickly spread the yogurt mixture over the surface.
• Take care to keep the pot out of direct sunlight. Keep the bank wet by misting it with water regularly. After a few weeks, Moss will begin to develop in the container, giving it a greenish hue.
• The outcomes of growing Moss with yogurt are typically variable despite numerous growers’ attempts at this. ‘Is yogurt healthy for moss?’ is a question with various replies.
• Despite the widespread belief that yogurt promotes moss development, there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim. Most of the time, yogurt is used as a component in moss propagation to assist it in sticking to buildings.
• The combination of yogurt and Moss has not been demonstrated to significantly boost the odds of forming healthy Moss on structures like walls, bricks, or garden sculptures.

However, trying to cultivate Moss using this method is a relatively straightforward one. First, gardeners require an old blender that they may utilize for this purpose.

How can I make the moss slurry?

• Blend 2 cups of fresh moss in a blender to get your moss slurry. A wet dairy product, such as buttermilk or unsweetened yogurt should be added in two to three cups at this point. If you like, you may use condensed milk instead.
• A teaspoon of sugar should be added to the mix.
• Add the ingredients to a blender and blitz until smooth. If your slurry is too thick, add a few drops of water to thin it down and make it spreadable. Add moss if it’s too thin and wet.
• Moss spores are now needed to grow in the slurry. Allow it to settle for two days before using.
• Do not put the mixture in the refrigerator. The slurry can only grow moss spores if maintained at ambient temperature.
• Before beginning the slurry preparation process, you must first choose the kind of moss you wish to grow. 
• Springy Turf Moss, Spoon-Leaved Moss, Pincushion Moss, and American Tree Moss are among the most popular kinds cultivated in gardens and on rock and concrete surfaces.
• You should be able to grow practically any kind of garden moss on concrete since they all demand the same level of maintenance.
• Slurry production depends on how large an area of land you need to cover, so think about where you’d like to grow your plants before you start making batches of slurry.
• If you’re only going to cover an area of a walled garden border, you’ll only need one set. If you’d like to cover an entire wall, you’ll need several collections.
• Once the slurry has sat for two days, you may use a broad paintbrush to apply it to your concrete surface.

Can I use buttermilk to age concrete?

Yes you can use buttermilk to age concrete. Old concrete containers provide a mature but fashionable look to your gardening. If left neglected for an extended period, planters may develop a worn-down or mossy appearance thanks to the aid of nature.

As a result, you can now replicate an aged effect with moss, buttermilk, and water mixed.

You can add character to concrete containers with this moss combination, which some artists use to create “moss graffiti,” which is an affordable way to add interest to shaded areas of your garden or patio.

• Get hold of a few pieces of moss from a friend’s property. If you can’t locate any moss, buy spores or chunks from a home and garden shop.

• Hand-picked bits of moss should be cleaned of any dirt or debris. Use a tiny trickle of water to sanitize the moss if you need to.

• Dispose of the moss in tiny bits by tearing it apart.

• Blend the moss, buttermilk, and water in a blender until smooth. Add more or less of the ingredients as needed to get the desired consistency. Moss, buttermilk, and water may be increased if you have a lot of containers to cover.

• A thick coating of the moss mixture should be applied to the exterior of the concrete container, with particular attention paid to sections that have been etched or cracked. If you don’t intend to plant anything in the container, paint its interior.

• Wrap the jar with plastic wrap to keep the mixture from drying out. Use a plastic bag to cover the container if that is an option. The moss thrives in damp conditions.

• Allow the container to rest outside in the shade for a few days. After a few days, ensure the moss mixture is still wet in the container. Douse the moss mixture with water and re-apply it as needed.
• Wrap the jar again in plastic wrap or a plastic bag and inspect it every few days. It may take many weeks for the moss to get established on the container, so be patient.

• Once the moss combination has started to develop, you may plant flowers or herbs in the concrete pot. Moisture from your plants will keep the porous concrete wet, encouraging healthy moss development.

• Take care to place the container in the shaded areas outside your home. Take care to keep the moss damp.

Can I use hydrochloric acid to age concrete?

• Use a garden hose to reach your concrete component, which must be placed in an area that drains well.
• Prepare yourself by donning protective gear such as a hard hat, thick gloves, goggles, and a breathing mask.
• Add hydrochloric acid to a glass dish and stir. Don’t even try to inhale the vapors if you have a breathing mask on. Brush the acid onto the concrete using a paintbrush.
• Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing. Using a garden hose, wash it off thoroughly. If at all possible, avoid getting acid or water on your clothes.
• Check your concrete for flaws. Apply a second layer of acid and thoroughly wash it off after 10 minutes if the acid has not etched enough for your purposes.
• Using water, dilute the rust-colored cement pigment (found at most hardware shops). A clean paintbrush is all that is needed to apply the stain on your acid-etched concrete in the desired patterns. Allow the first layer of pigment to dry before moving on to the next.

Conclusion

Moss and Lichen thrive on the combination of dust and ambient moisture. If you see them, you’re not in an area with a lot of pollution, which is a positive indicator. 

Moss and Lichen are less likely to develop in areas with poor air quality. Ensure that you don’t break up or damage any spores by cleaning as much dirt as you can from where you found the clumps.

Dip a piece of moss in a container of yogurt. Make sure the cluster is completely covered. There’s no need to worry about the moss-to-yogurt ratio. You may also use honey, a beer-and-sugar combination, or buttermilk in place of the yogurt-and-moss mixture. 

Moss may grow on any rough, porous surface that absorbs water. It may take up to a month for the moss to develop, but if all goes according to plan, I should see the moss on my wreath within ten days. 

Moss gardens may thrive in the appropriate place. However, a shady, wet location is ideal. Try to be like nature. A moss garden may be started at this time of year. It must be both moist and chilly. 

When it’s too hot and dry, Lichen and moss hibernate. Take care to prevent rain from washing away the moss-yogurt combination. Mist the area often and use a plastic bag to protect it from the elements if required.

Frequently asked questions (FAQS): Can I age concrete with yogurt?

How can I grow moss on concrete?

Yes, you can grow moss on concrete. Shredded moss and dairy products may be used to make an emulsion. Use a paintbrush to liberally apply the slurry to the surface of your concrete.

The slurry layer should be misted on a regular basis, but not so much that it becomes saturated. Within six weeks, moss will begin to develop, although it may initially begin to mold.

Bibliography

Gardening Know How: Is Yogurt Good For Moss – How To Grow Moss With Yogurt https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/moss/how-to-grow-moss-with-yogurt.htm

Udawattha, C., Galkanda, H., Ariyarathne, I. S., Jayasinghe, G. Y., & Halwatura, R. (2018). Mold growth and moss growth on tropical walls. Building and Environment, 137, 268-279.

Bond, A. J., Brooker, O., Harris, A. J., Harrison, T., Moss, R. M., Narayanan, R. S., & Webster, R. (2006). How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2. Concrete Centre.