Construct Your Own Tuffa Troughs the Ernie Whitford Way

$75 – Includes Both Sessions

There’s something timeless about a tuffa trough. These old-world, stone-like vessels have long been used in alpine and rock gardens, offering a natural, rustic home for succulents, alpines, and small treasures that might otherwise disappear in the landscape.

Now you can build your own.

Join skilled craftsman Ernie Whiteford, assisted by Monica Phelan, for this two-part hands-on workshop where you’ll create a durable outdoor trough designed to withstand Colorado’s elements and elevate your garden for years to come.

Saturday, April 11th 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

In this 60-minute guided session, you’ll:

• Learn the traditional tuffa trough construction process
• Select your mold and shape
• Mix and form your own stone-like vessel
• Build a sturdy outdoor planter from start to finish

All materials are provided. After construction, your trough will cure for seven days, allowing it to harden and strengthen before planting.

Saturday, April 18th 3:00–4:00 PM

Now the transformation begins.

In this session, you’ll:

• Remove your cured trough from its mold
• Refine, polish, and texture the surface
• Drill drainage holes and prepare it for planting
• Select from a curated assortment of succulents and small-scale plants
• Design a personalized, living container garden

You’ll leave with a fully planted, handcrafted trough — a one-of-a-kind garden feature perfect for patios, entryways, rock gardens, or alpine settings.

This workshop is as much about connection as it is about creation. Meet fellow plant lovers, swap ideas, and experience the satisfaction of crafting something both beautiful and enduring.

Stone. Soil. Succulents.
A garden piece you’ll cherish for years.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Phelan Gardens, 4955 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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