Estimating the Amount

• It is important to know how much concrete you will need before the project begins to avoid purchasing too much or too little. Multiply the width, length and depth of the area that you need to fill to obtain the cubic footage. For example, a space that is 1-by-2-by-3 feet requires six cubic feet of concrete. Bags of ready mix concrete will tell you how many cubic feet of concrete they contain. Use this information and your calculations to determine how much to purchase.
  
  

Mixing by Hand

• Empty the contents of the bag into a wheelbarrow or mixing trough. Measure the amount of water instructed on the bag in a 5-gallon bucket and add it to the concrete. Mix the concrete with a hoe or shovel until you reach the desired consistency. It should be thick enough to hold its shape but not so thick that it cannot be mixed. This option works well for small amounts of concrete, but larger amounts should be mixed with a power mixer.
  
  

Mixing by Machine

• Check the mixer to make sure there is no dirt, dried concrete or other foreign matter before you begin. Pour half the water into a mixer and turn it on. Let the mixer run for a few minutes and pour in the concrete and the rest of the water. Let the concrete mix for about three minutes and transfer it to a wheelbarrow. Wash out the mixer with a garden hose before the concrete can set or the mixer will be severely damaged.
  
  

Pouring and Curing

• Ready mix concrete can be shoveled or poured into a form. These forms are typically constructed of lumber and hold the concrete within a certain shape while it cures. Spread the concrete evenly, being careful not to trap air pockets. Use a screed to level the concrete and use a float to push the aggregate to the bottom and bring excess water to the surface. Ready mix concrete must be allowed to cure until it has completely hardened and cooled. The time required will depend on the thickness of the concrete, but it is typically no less than five to seven days.