Forget Store Bought: Assemble An Easy To Build Bird Bath With Items You Already Own

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Investing in a dedicated water feature is one of the best ways to turn your yard and garden into a bird haven. And it's quite simple to achieve. All you have to do is purchase a bird bath, assemble it if required, fill it with water, and place it in a slightly shaded or covered part of your yard. However, if you don't want to spend any money on a mass-manufactured one, assemble an easy-to-build bird bath with items you already own. YouTuber Matt, from The Gardener's Garden channel, grabs a glass platter and a metal plant stand to invite avians into his yard.

Besides not requiring a lot of supplies, this DIY idea is incredibly simple, so even a beginner or non-DIYer can do it. Bonus advantage: You don't have to spend much time or effort. The project will take just a few minutes of your otherwise busy schedule. Plus, it won't cost you a penny as long as you already have a shallow glass dish or platter on hand. And if you can't spare a plant stand, see if there's a mismatched stool sitting around forgotten in your shed or garage. 

In case you don't have either, shop secondhand to keep the project as economical as possible. Since these are common thrift store finds you can turn into beautiful garden decor, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding something to your liking. Though optional, keep a strong glue, like E6000, handy to adhere the two components together. You may also get a few small pebbles or decorative figurines to glue inside the platter and prettify your simple bird bath. You can even add a small solar fountain to keep the water moving and attract more birds.

Give your glass dish a soapy water bath, so it's clean and hygienic for birds to drink from. Rinse it and set it aside to dry. In the meantime, give your plant stand a wipe-down with a damp microfiber cloth. And since metal is susceptible to rust if it comes into constant contact with moisture, coat it generously in a rust inhibitor, such as the Rust-Oleum Stops Rust clear spray paint. You can even spray it down with a colored paint instead if you wish to give it a fresh appearance. The same goes for your glass platter. Just don't paint it black, since it will absorb more heat and make your bird bath's surface hotter in the sun.

Next, get your E6000 if you have it. Apply it to the stand's surface before sticking the platter on top. Glue any stones or mini figurines as well. Not only will they make your bird bath look gorgeous, but the raised surfaces may attract bees and butterflies, which can perch on them to take a sip. Similarly, adding a few small stones to the dish's rim will give weary birds a durable ledge to stand on and drink or preen their feathers. Once you're satisfied, give the adhesive 24 hours to build a strong bond before you fill the feature with water. 

If you do not have glue handy, you may be able to get away with simply balancing the glass dish on top of the stand if it's sturdy enough. To keep mosquitoes and algae away, refresh the water often and scrub it using a stiff wire brush every few days. Occasionally, use vinegar to keep your bird bath looking like new.