How to Make Concrete Bird Baths

Nothing is more relaxing than watching birds, butterflies and dragonflies hover around a garden in a backyard filled with flowering plants and fruit trees. One way to keep the birds coming back is to provide bird feeders, as well as birdbaths. Read on to learn how to create a rustic bird bath with concrete.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1 bag of 20-gram concrete
• Water
• Shovel
• Wheelbarrow
• Large plastic salad bowl
• Empty can or pail
• Rocks or sand
• Plastic wrap
• Cutter or sharp knife

1. Find an old large plastic salad bowl. You can find them at garage sales or thrift or dollar stores.

2. Mix a bag of 20-gram cement with water until you get a medium mayonnaise-like consistency. You can mix this on a wheelbarrow or an empty plastic 20-gallon paint tub.

3. Find an empty can or pail, such as an empty 1-gallon paint can. Put some rocks or sand inside to add weight to it. Then wrap the can or pail with plastic wrap.

4. Place the can in the middle of the plastic salad bowl.

5. Pour the concrete mixture until the mixture reaches the mouth of the bowl.

6. Use a hand trowel to spread the top of the concrete even.

7. Let dry. Inspect the mixture constantly, initially for four hours or until it starts to hold its shape. This way you can lift the can carefully without it permanently sticking inside.

8. Remove the can by lifting it carefully from the center while the concrete is still not completely dry.

9. Continue drying the concrete for another day.

10. Remove the salad bowl by using a sharp cutter or knife.

11. Spray lightly with a hose to remove the remaining dust from the bowl.

12. Place the newly completed birdbath in the middle of your planting bed or close to the trees where the bird feeders hang or where birds usually nest. Then, fill up with clean water.

Tips & Warnings

• Add decorations to your bird bath, by adding rocks or mosaic tiles around the rim of the birdbath. You can do this before the concrete set or dry completely.

• Always replace water daily with clean ones.

• The concrete birdbath is heavy so ensure that you perform safety when lifting and carrying it around.

• Do not leave standing water for too long as it will encourage mosquito breeding.