Create A Unique Bird Bath That Lasts For Years To Come With This Customizable DIY

Old-world stone accents, such as fountains, planters, and bird baths, bring a sense of elegance and sophistication to your garden. But if you're on a budget, they can be out of your price range. And even if you're not on a budget, they're heavy and hard to maneuver. Hypertufa, though, mimics the look of stone but is a fraction of its price and weight. It's a papier-mache-like material made from cement, peat moss, and perlite. Once you've mixed up a batch, you can mold it into almost any shape, such as a budget-friendly faux French travertine fountain — or a birdbath. After it cures, you'll have a durable, weatherproof birdbath that will add style and charm to your garden. Creating a shallow basin model will allow you to attract more birds to your bird bath. 

To make your hypertufa mixture, combine 1 part Portland cement, 1½ parts perlite, and 1½ parts sifted peat moss. Mix it together in a wheelbarrow or other large container. Add water and stir the mixture until it sticks together when you squeeze it. You can also add cement coloring if you want a color other than natural stone. You'll need a mold to create your bird bath. This can be almost anything, including plastic, styrofoam, or cardboard. If this is your first hypertufa project, you may want to start with a large bowl-shaped bird bath placed on a low pedestal.

Start with a large, shallow, plastic bowl or platter for your mold for the bath tray. Pair this with a box for the pedestal mold. Cover both molds in plastic wrap, place them upside down, and start covering them with the hypertufa mixture. The thicker you make it, the stronger your bird bath will be, but the longer it will take to cure. After you have your molds covered, place each in a large garbage bag and store it out of direct sunlight. Wash your tools, wheelbarrow, and buckets immediately so the hypertufa doesn't harden and ruin them.

Your hypertufa birdbath needs to remain damp and in darkness to cure effectively. Leave the pieces in the bags and mist them every day to keep them from drying out. You can remove them from the molds after two to four days, but leave them in the garbage bag and keep misting them for up to a month. Then remove them from the bags and leave them in a shady area until they dry out completely, which can take up to another month. Use a wire brush or file to carefully smooth out any imperfections in the finished product. You can then adhere the bowl to the pedestal with construction adhesive and fill your bird bath with water. Place it in a quiet, partially shady spot to invite beautiful wildlife into your garden.