How to Make Concrete for a Birdbath

A birdbath is a lovely addition to your backyard or garden to attract birds to the yard. The birdbaths are made from a variety of materials, including concrete, copper and even plastic. Concrete birdbaths can be quite pricey when you purchase them from a lawn and garden store or a department store. You can make concrete for a birdbath yourself and mold the concrete into the exact size and shape you want for your birdbath. After the concrete dries and hardens, sit back and watch the variety of birds that flock to your yard for a bath.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Dust mask
• Wheelbarrow
• Water
• Large trowel
• Bag of concrete

Instructions

1. Put on a pair of work gloves and a dust mask, and empty the bag of concrete into a wheelbarrow.

2. Add water to the concrete in the wheelbarrow per the directions on the concrete package.

3. Mix the concrete and water thoroughly with a large trowel. Mix to the consistency of a thick, heavy mud or paste. Make sure all the dry cement gets thoroughly mixed with the water so that the entire mix is damp. Don't leave any part of it dry. According to the Portland Cement Association, a good concrete mix contains about 15 to 20 percent water.

4. Work with the cement until you have removed all the air bubbles.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a wheelbarrow, use a 30-gallon trashcan to mix the concrete.

• You have about 15 to 20 minutes to work with the concrete once it is mixed to form your birdbath before the concrete sets.

References

• Portland Cement Association