Gardener Transforms Terracotta Pots Into A Lighthouse Watering Station For Bees And Butterflies
Sure, whimsical garden features that double as charming outdoor decor are a fun way to add personality to your yard. But buying pre-made fountains, statues, and other pieces can be expensive. If you're trying to spruce up your garden on a budget, making your own fairy-inspired decor can be a great alternative. One example? This DIY terracotta lighthouse watering station from TikTok creator @the_gooch. Not only is it adorable, but it also features a water-filled rim that bees and butterflies can drink from while visiting your garden.
This project isn't too difficult to complete, but you will need quite a few supplies to do it. To start, visit your local nursery or home improvement store and find four terracotta pots in different sizes. Make sure the smallest one has a saucer. After that, head over to Dollar Tree or another budget retailer and pick up the items to decorate the planters, starting with a bag of small pebbles, a bag of larger rocks, artificial moss, a solar stake light, and a bag of glass beads.
Then, check out Dollar Tree's Fairy Garden Mini Garden Decor collection. The Gooch uses three windows and a door, but you can pick out any pieces you wish. You could add fairies, mushrooms, or gnomes, depending on the look you're trying to achieve. Finally, grab two shades of acrylic paint (blue and white), a foam paintbrush, and a hot glue gun. Something to note: Several commenters on The Gooch's TikTok tutorial pointed out that hot glue might not last long on outdoor decor. Instead, they recommended using a more waterproof product like E6000 Craft Adhesive.
Start by painting the pots and adding rocks and moss
Get started by squirting colored paint onto the bottom section of the largest planter, but leave the top rim as-is. Spread the paint evenly, then use a hot glue gun to attach the larger rocks along the non-painted section of the planter. When you're done, add smaller pebbles to fill in the gaps. Apply white paint to the upper sections and colored paint to the bottom parts of the two medium-sized pots. The smallest pot can be painted one color, or the rim can be left plain to create a more layered look. Then, paint the underside of the saucer white. After they dry, put glue around the top edge of the smallest pot, flip it over, and place it upside down in the center of the saucer.
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Paint the top part of your Dollar Tree solar light white (but avoid getting any on the solar panel). Remove the stake, then add glue to the underside of the light. Secure it to the underside of the smallest pot by running the bottom of the light through the planter's drain hole.
To decorate the pots, glue mini windows onto the planters and glue fake moss to them and the rocky area to emulate greenery. Turn the big pot over and attach the door. Finally, assemble the lighthouse by stacking all of the terracotta pots upside down on each other. The largest one will serve as the base, while the smallest one will go on top. Place the glass beads in the saucer and add just enough water to cover them.
Other ideas for decorating and building your lighthouse watering station
If you aren't crazy about fairy-themed decor, there are other lighthouse design ideas you could consider as well. For example, maybe you'd prefer yours to look more realistic; if so, you might paint it red and white instead of royal blue. Or if there's a real-life lighthouse in your state that you love, you could model yours after that one. For a more unique look, another option is to use a more subtle coastal paint shade, like cool-blue gray or pale pink. In either of those cases, you could still add windows or doors, too. However, it might be better to stick with something simpler, like Amazon's Cutemini's Miniature Dollhouse Windows.
To make your lighthouse as appealing as possible for insects, it's also important to consider where you'll put it. Bee watering stations should be positioned 15 to 20 feet away from high-traffic areas where people walk. This can prevent accidental stings and provide a direct flight path for the winged creatures. It's also best to put the lighthouse in a sunny area, so it's easier for pollinators to see and land on.