How to Make Decorative Garden Mushrooms

Mushrooms can lend any garden a certain fairytale or storybook charm, but they can be problematic. Decorative garden mushrooms are a great solution to this. They are easy to make, and come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. Best of all, you don't have to worry about someone kicking them over or accidentally eating them!

EditSteps

EditUsing Terracotta Pots

1. Choose a terracotta pot and drain plate. The pot will make the stem and the drain plate will make the cap. The plate needs to be a 3 to 5 inches (7.62 to 12.7 centimeters) wider than the pot, so don't choose the matching size—go a few sizes larger.^[1]
   
2. Spray paint the outside of the pot white or off-white. If you need to apply more coats, let each coat dry before applying the next. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes for the paint to dry enough for a second coat.^[2]
   
   • You do not need to paint the bottom of the pot.
3. Spray paint the bottom of the plate a bright color. Flip the plate over so that the back is facing you. Spray paint it a bright, contrasting color. Red is the most popular choice, but you can also do pink, purple, or even turquoise. Once again, if you need to do more than one coat, let the paint dry first.^[3]
   
   • The top part of the plate won't be visible so you don't have to paint it.
4. Add white spots to the mushroom cap using acrylic paint. You can paint the spots on using a paintbrush or a round, foam pouncer. You may need 2 to 3 coats of paint for this. If this is the case, allow each coat to dry first.^[4]
   
5. Allow the paint to dry fully before sealing it. Just because the paint feel dry doesn't mean it is ready to be sealed; some types of paint require curing times as well. Check the label for more complete drying times as each brand is different. Once the paint is dry, give the pot and plate a few coats of a clear sealer.^[5]
   
   • Choose a clear, outdoor sealer in either glossy or matte.
   • Allow the sealer to fully dry and cure.
6. Assemble the mushroom. Turn the pot upside down so that the bottom is sticking up. Coat it with epoxy or waterproof outdoor glue. Place the plate, painted side up, down on top of it. Make sure that it is centered.^[6]
   
7. Allow the glue to cure before moving your mushroom outside. This can take a few hours to several days. When moving you mushroom, hold it by the stem—do not grab it by the cap.
   

EditUsing a Bowl and Log

1. Choose a stainless steel bowl and clean it. Wipe the bowl down using window cleaner, household cleaner, or rubbing alcohol. You can also wash it with soap and water. Focus on the outside of the bowl, as that is the part you will be painting. You want the bowl to be free of any residual oils.^[7]
   
   • You can also use a wooden bowl instead.^[8]
2. Buff the bowl using fine-grit sandpaper. This will give the bowl some tooth and help the paint stick better. You want to lightly buff the bowl without scratching it.^[9] When you are done, wipe away any dust with a damp cloth.
   
3. Drill two holes in the top of the bowl. Flip the bowl over so that the bottom is facing you. Use a drill to make two holes in the center of the bowl. You will be using these to attach the bowl later.^[10]
   
   • The holes need to be the same size as your screws.
4. Apply two coats of outdoor spray paint, letting each coat dry in between. Red is the most popular and recognizable color, but you can use another color for your mushroom if you prefer.^[11]
   
   • You only need to paint the outside of the bowl, since you won't see the inside when you are done.
   • Don't forget to paint the tops of the screws as well.
5. Add some white spots with acrylic paint. Apply the spots using a paint brush or a round, foam pouncer. If you need to apply a second coat, let the paint dry first before doing so.^[12]
   
6. Let the paint dry completely before sealing it. Just because the paint feels dry does not necessarily mean that it is ready. Check the label on your can of paint, and see if there is a curing time. Once the paint has fully dried and cured. apply a coat of clear, outdoor-quality sealer.^[13]
   
   • The sealer can be glossy or matte; this is up to you!
   • You need to let the paint dry completely before sealing it. If you don't, the paint may warp.
7. Choose a log for the stem. The log should be about twice the height of your bowl. It needs to be about the same width as the base of you bowl. Birch logs wok especially well for this because of their white bark. If you are using a different type of log, consider painting it white, and then sealing it with your clear sealer.
   
8. Mark the screw holes on the log. Place the bowl on top of the log so that the bottom is facing you. Use a pen or pencil to make marks in the middle of each screw hole. Lift the bowl away when you are done.^[14]
   
9. Drill the holes in the log. Make sure that the holes are wide and deep enough for your screws to fit into. When you are done, gently blow away any sawdust.
   
10. Screw the bowl onto the log. Place the lid back onto the log so that the bottom is facing you. Insert the screws through the holes in the lid. Screw them into the log using your drill. Try to get the screws as tight as you can so that the bowl doesn't bottle.^[15]
    
11. Set the mushroom out in your garden. If the drilling ruined the paintwork, touch it up with a small paintbrush and a matching paint color.
    

EditUsing Cement

1. Coat the inside of a small plastic bowl with oil. You can use any type of oil you want. The oil is simply there to make de-molding the mushroom cap easier.^[16]
   
   • If you can't find a plastic bowl in the right shape and size, you can use a different material. Plastic is easier to use because of how flexible it is.
2. Cut the bottom out of a plastic cup. This will eventually make the stem, so make sure that the shape and size suits the cap.^[17] If the cup is too small for the bowl, try a different container, such as a tall yogurt container.
   
   • The cups that you get iced coffee in are great for this!
3. Mix your cement. Every brand will be a little different, so follow the instructions on the package. Ideally, it should have a slushy-like consistency.^[18]
   
   • Make sure that you mix enough to fill both the bowl and the cup.
4. Fill the bowl with cement. You can use your trowel to smooth it down, or you can leave it rough for a more organic look.^[19] Gently tap the bowl to remove any air bubbles.^[20]
   
5. Insert the cup cut-side-down into the bowl. Make sure that the cup is centered and straight. The wider part of the cup should be facing you.^[21]
   
6. Fill the cup with more cement. Use your trowel to smooth the cement down. This will help the mushroom stand upright.^[22] Once again, gently tap the cup to remove any air bubbles.
   
   • If you will be using this mushroom on a lawn, consider pushing a galvanized steel nail into the stem. This way, the nail will stick into the lawn and help anchor the mushroom.^[23]
7. Wait for the cement to set. How long this takes depends on the type of cement you are using, how big your mushroom is, and the weather conditions in your area.
   
8. Tip the mushroom out of the bowl, then cut the plastic cup off. Use a craft blade to cut straight down the plastic cup first. Then, cut around the top edge of the stem, where the stem meets the mushroom cap. Carefully pull the plastic cup off. Part of the plastic cup will remain embedded in the cement, which is fine.^[24]
   
9. Paint the mushroom. Paint the stem and the underside of the mushroom cap white. Next, paint the cap a bright color. Let the paint dry, then add white spots onto the cap. Let the paint dry again, then seal the paint using a clear, outdoor sealer.
   
   • If you need to apply more coats of paint, allow the first one to dry completely.
   • Turn it into a mosaic mushroom by attaching glass gems to the cap using tile adhesive, then filling the gaps with grout. Wipe the grout away with a damp cloth before it dries.^[25]

EditTips

• You do not need to add spots to your mushroom, but it will make it more recognizable.
• Typical toadstools are red with white spots, but you can make yours any color you want.
• Consider painting the underside of the mushroom cap white, and then adding some streaks to it in grey or tan.
• It is better to apply many thin coats of paint rather than one thick one.
• Consider making some mini clay mushrooms for a fairy garden!

EditWarnings

• Make sure that you use the spray paint in a well-ventilated area.

EditThings You'll Need

EditUsing Terracotta Pots

• Terracotta pot
• Terracotta drain plate
• White spray paint
• Brightly-colored spray paint
• White acrylic paint
• Paintbrush or round, foam pouncer
• Clear, outdoor sealer
• Epoxy or waterproof outdoor glue

EditUsing a Bowl and Log

• Bowl
• Red spray paint
• White acrylic paint
• Paintbrush or round, foam pouncer
• Clear, outdoor sealer
• Drill
• Log
• Screws

EditUsing Cement

• Plastic bowl and cup
• Cement
• Trowel
• Mixing container
• Oil
• Paint and paintbrush
• Clear, outdoor sealer
• Galvanized steel nail (optional)

EditSources and Citations

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