I don't think there's a "best" way to mix mortar. It sure seems to need a lot of stirring and the last time I did it I added a little more water than the package said. It still worked for my purpose of mounting a clothline pole. Have a hose handy to wash out your wheelbarrow and it should be fine.

If you have leftover mortar you can make stepping stones with it. Get a bunch of disposible piepans. Sprinkle about a eight of an inch of fine sand in the bottom, lay in a textured leaf like a big maple leaf or oak or sycamore. Put the leftover cement on top. I let it cure several days. Then scrubbed the leaf off with a brush. After a couple of good rains the sand all washes away. Are these exquisite -- no, Kinda cute--I thought so. And I needed stepping stones.

Good luck!

mmo

I spoke to the big fella about this, I promised I wouldn't. He says, not me girls he says "What is a guy who doesn't know how to mix mortar doing building a brick flower bed?" What do you think? Imagine a dentist wondering about stuff like this. So call me snarky.

"What is a guy who doesn't know how to mix mortar doing building a brick flower bed?"

Tell him it's a gal, and she's building a brick flower bed because she can. Tell him she wants to learn how to mix mortar because she likes learning stuff. This is why girls are smarter than guys.

I like it. This is a good response. He says there is a hoe (not thinking eddie murphy here)made for this or you could use a shovel but make sure and get the proportions right. Water sand and cement,then mix it. I don't know how difficult that is but he says you could do it on a board. You go girl.

i use a mortar mix by quickcrete. it comes in 40 and 80 lb bags i use only what i need. if I need a full wheelbarrow but don't feel i have time to use it all I just mix what i need for the job and seal the bag up for the next job. here is a web site that has the product I use it for infomation only since i get the stuff at my local hardware store. All you do is add water to make a smooth paste for brick or block. If pouring a walkway you can buy the premixed concrete. It is not hard just wear gloves concrete or mortor mix dries out your skin. also start mixing slow so you don't make a lot of dust this stuff is not good to breath a lot in. Just take time you will get the hang of it.

Here is a link that might be useful: package pavement

Mixing the mortar isn't hard. Buy the premixed mortar mentioned above and add water slowly. I don't think there is any "stirring", its heavy stuff. There is a special hoe with two holes in it designed for this but its not absolutely necessary. Google Quickcrete to find their web site, there is good stuff there. Also, mixing the mortar is a lesser issue than the foundation for the planter, size (will you need to cut bricks?), and keeping it square and level. Quickcrete's site and my other favorite forum: woodmagazine.com/forum/homeimprovement can offer assistance.

Use the quickcrete. It is much easier than trying to get the mix right with sand, aggregate and that lime stuff. You do need gloves. It is basic and it will damage your skin with prolonged contact. I use a hoe to mix. If you are going to be mixing much of this at all you may want to investigate renting a small cement mixer. Good luck. I'd love to see a picture of the final product when you get the project done. mmo

Maybe this (link below) would come in handy. I've always wanted one of these, but can't justify it for myself so I bought one for my dad for Christmas. On the package it says you can also use it for compost.

Other wise, I could see using a board, a bucket, or the wheelbarrow - maybe with lining?

Here is a link that might be useful: Oddjob

If you are going to do it in the wheelbarrow--invest in the mortar hoe. You'll be glad you did.

As to clean-up--when I helped my contractor build our retaining wall in 2004 we went through so much morter, cleanup usually wasn't an issue. BUT--the one day it was--He just turned the wheelbarow upside down and knocked the mortar out of the wheelbarrow by banging on the bottom. It was a metal wheelbarrow, not plastic; don't know if that makes a difference.

melanie

Here is a link that might be useful: mortar hoe link...

You guys have all been such a help. I feel more confident already. I'll let you know how it turns out. My house is 150 years old, and brick, so if my brick flower bed looks a little lopsided and the mortar is not so neat, it will fit in with the house! ha!

You can mix in a wheelbarrow, lots of folks do. And everyone I know that does concrete has a wheelbarrow with rough matches of concrete stuck to it. Unless you are more meticulous with the cleanup than anyone I know, your wheelbarrow will wind up the same. I like to use a small plastic tub made for doing a one bag mix. The flats and curves of the tub fit a hoe and shovel for mixing and removal. The cleanup is easier and you don't mess up a good wheelbarrow.

Beginners are easy to spot. They try to open the bags at the end to empty into the tub. The right way, much easier, is to place the bag in the tub slightly to one side with the bag on it's side so that the face of the bag is exposed. Use a hoe or shovel to slash a cut across the bag in the middle side to side. Roll the bag so the slash is down then pull up on both ends of the bag.

Adding water is another thing where beginners have trouble . It takes a lot of water to get the mix wet, but only a small amount of excess water will make the mix too runny to use. As the mix starts to wet go very slow with water additions and mix well before adding more. I recommend that until you get the hang of it, set aside about a quart of the dry mix. You may be able to salvage a batch if you make a small mistake of too much water.

As said before, all concrete products are caustic and hard on skin. Wear gloves! And if you don't, or even if you do, I suggest you rub on baby oil before starting. Afterwards, wash all concrete off, wet your hands with vinegar to neutralize any residue, then wash with a mild soap and apply a good hand lotion.

During our wall project DH flew to France. He came home with a sample of L'Occitane's hand cream (it was in his hotel room)--and it is AWESOME on "mortared" hands. I ended up going out and buying a full size tube. Even the pro masons I worked with were impressed.

melanie

I would recommend buying a bag of portland cement as well as the quickcrete mortar. add about a cup full to the dry mix. Then mix it up dry before adding water. It just adds a little more bite. Don't go nuts with it, or your mortar will be stronger than your brick. That could be a problem if you ever make a repair.

Definitey follow Plx88's advice about holding out a little in case you mix it too wet.

Also, they sell long shallow tubs for mixing mortar in. They are plastic and easy to clean. I have one and prefer it to a wheel barrow (a lot harder to knock over).