Transform A Thrifted Concrete Planter Into A DIY Bird Bath

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During the spring and summer months, there's nothing quite like the sound of chirping birds as they adventure around your yard in search of food and water. They provide the perfect soundtrack to long lazy days in and out of the pool, playing with the kids, or simply doing nothing but sitting back and listening, with or without a drink in hand. Adding a unique bird bath to your yard is a great way to attract more birdlife, but they don't always come cheap. Depending on where you shop, the yard feature can cost as much as $300 and up. Author and gardening aficionado Michael Griffiths shows that there's a more affordable way to add a bird bath to your garden with this concrete planter upcycle. All it takes is a quick browse at a thrift store and some good old-fashioned craft skills to make a charming DIY bird bath.

The job itself is relatively simple and doesn't take a lot of elbow grease. It also doesn't involve any expensive equipment. To start, you'll need to either browse online for a second-hand concrete planter or pop into your local thrift store. Considering the size, you're probably better off opting for the online option where a seller is simply looking for someone to come and collect. The materials you'll need for this DIY garden bird bath include a non-toxic sealant (like EcoProCote Polyurethane Sealer), some small rocks, and a non-toxic silicone caulk. This is a simple but rewarding home DIY project that won't take up much of your time.

Once you have the concrete planter and the materials ready, you're going to need to treat the planter. A non-toxic polyurethane sealant is best so that the birds visiting your yard won't get harmed. We recommend one that is low in odor, making sure the brand you're going for is suitable for concrete. You'll simply apply it to the planter using a paintbrush, getting right into every nook and cranny. This will ultimately give the bath a longer life and stop the water from seeping into the concrete pores. Once you're done, leave it overnight to dry. Next, you'll need to plug up any drainage holes. You can use a stone and the non-toxic silicon caulk to seal it up. Make sure you apply extra caulk around the base of the stone once it's in place to ensure water doesn't find its way through.

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Depending on the depth of your concrete planter, you're going to need to consider how to arrange the stones. Not only does this give it an aesthetically pleasing look, but these stones also serve as a perching spot for the birds as they take a drink. To turn your bird bath into a decorative feature, you could paint the rocks to give the bird bath a bit of character. For an even more personal touch, get your loved ones involved to paint up their own rocks to add to the set. All that's now left to do is find the perfect place, fill it up with water, and wait for the birdlife to arrive.