How to Make Concrete Birdbaths
Of all the lawn ornaments you can display on your lawn, a birdbath is one of the most exciting. Not only does it provide an ornamental decoration for your yard, but it is also functional as it provides a watering hole for all the neighborhood birds, squirrels, raccoons and other creatures. Rather than purchasing a plastic, copper or concrete birdbath for your yard, consider making a concrete birdbath yourself. You can mix and pour the concrete and shape it into the exact style you want for your yard. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Dust mask
- Wheelbarrow
- Two 60-pound bags of concrete
- Water
- Large trowel
- One 30-pound bag of sand
- Plastic wrap
- Cup
- Utility knife
Instructions
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Mix the Concrete
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1
Put on a dust mask and work gloves and pour the concrete into your wheelbarrow.
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2
Add water to the concrete per the directions on the concrete package. According to the Portland Cement Association, a good concrete mix contains about 15 to 20 percent water.
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3
Mix the water and concrete thoroughly with a large trowel until the concrete turns into to a heavy, thick paste. Make sure you thoroughly mix in all the dry cement to ensure that the entire mix is damp. Don't leave any portion of it dry.
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4
Work with the concrete until you have removed nearly all the air bubbles. Keep in mind, however, that it is impossible to get all of the tiny air bubbles out of the concrete.
Make the Birdbath
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5
Pour the sand on the ground in the shape of an upside-down bowl.
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6
Cover the sand with a sheet of plastic wrap.
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7
Pour the concrete over the pile of sand and form the shape of the birdbath bowl. Spread the concrete all the way to the edges of the sand. The concrete should be about ¾-inch thick. Form a hole at the bottom of the bowl with a small cup so that the pedestal can fit into the bowl. Coat the inside of the cup with cooking oil and pour the concrete into the cup. The oil will allow the concrete to slide out easily. Attach the molded concrete piece onto the bottom of the birdbath.
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8
Fill a 4-inch diameter, 3-foot tall mailing tube with the concrete and water mix. This will serve as the pedestal for the birdbath. Hollow the top of the concrete pedestal for the cup-shaped birdbath bowl to fit into. Use the same type cup you used for the birdbath. After the concrete hardens, remove the cup by cutting it off with a utility knife.
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9
Put the birdbath bowl on the pedestal and place it in your yard.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you don't own a wheelbarrow, mix the concrete in a 30-gallon trashcan.
You only have about 15 to 20 minutes to shape the concrete into a birdbath before it sets up.
Coat the mailing tube with vegetable oil to make the concrete come out easier.
When you're making the pedestal, poke a wood stick into the mailing tube to remove the air bubbles.
