Turn Unusual Items Into An Artsy Birdbath That'll Make Your Garden Pop

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Piles of old tires are one of the most problematic types of solid waste on the planet. Some piles are so big that they're visible from space. There are near-endless creative ways to repurpose tires in your backyard, but many people are hesitant to use them for garden projects. Reusing old tires as garden planters is a big mistake — especially if you want to grow vegetables in them — due to the toxic compounds they leach. However, with a little creativity and care, you can quell those fears and put old tires to work outdoors. In this case, you'll create a colorful birdbath that's safe for you and any feathered friends that visit.

There are a few ways to approach making a If you want to make a water feature from old tires that will attract birds to your yard, you have a few options. You could, for example, stack up old tires and place a shallow pan on top. Alternatively, you could dig a hole, bury the tire, and cover it with pond liner. In either case, exposing wildlife to toxic chemicals is a valid concern. Thankfully, there's an easy workaround. All you need to do is find a waterproof bowl or dish made from bird-safe materials and pop it atop the tires, pedestal-style. The rubber won't touch the water, keeping the bathing avians safe. Bonus: You can paint your DIY birdbath tires any color you like to match your existing garden aesthetic.

There are two basic types of birdbaths — aboveground and ground-level — and each attracts different species of birds. To make a ground-level birdbath, place a thin tire directly on the ground or dig a shallow hole to nestle it into. The inner rim of a tire can range from 14 to 22 inches, so measure the diameter before you buy your bowl. Something on the heavier side, like this Topadorn Ceramic Bird Bath, would work great. Birds need 2 inches of water at most to bath in, so an old plant saucer or upside-down trash can lid would also suffice. For an aboveground birdbath, stack multiple tires and then top them with a bowl.

If you want to decorate the tires, clean them thoroughly and let them dry completely before painting them. Use a non-toxic outdoor paint. To add some visual interest to your garden, leave the texture of the tread showing through the paint. You could also use paint stencils to add floral or geometric decorations.

Add some river pebbles or logs to the bowl to provide some purchase for visiting birds' claws and ensure any critters that fall into the water can climb out again. Moving water will also attract more birds to your garden. Consider setting up a Mademax Solar Birdbath Fountain in your DIY birdbath — it costs about $17. Choose a shaded site for your birdbath to prevent algae buildup, and keep mosquitoes from breeding in the water by changing it every few days. You can also line the gaps between the tires and the bowl with construction adhesive to make the entire fixture watertight. For stability, fill the tires with Quikrete or a similar product before setting the bowl in place.