DIY: Make Your Own Birdbath Container Garden

Guest blog by Gaby Galvin 

Want to draw in birds to your garden while still making something pretty and useful? Try out this simple birdbath that doubles as a small container garden. The best part is, you can use it year-round, going from a full birdbath to this cool hybrid.

Supplies:

17-inch urn

12-inch poly urn

10-inch terra-cotta saucer

Craft paint

Flowers

Potting mix

Instructions:

1. Drill about five holes in the bottom of the larger urn to allow for drainage. These should be evenly spaced, but all closer to the center of the urn.
2. Paint your urns and saucer whatever color you like. Make sure the paint you use is safe for the birds. Wait for the paint to dry.
3. Place the smaller urn upside down in the bigger one and glue it down.
4. Fill the bottom urn with potting mix and plant your flowers. I recommend smaller ones like Alyssum, Violas, or Lobelia so they don’t become too overgrown.
5. Place the saucer on top of the smaller urn and glue it down. Add some water for the birds and you’re done!

Make sure to place your new birdbath somewhere accessible for the birds – probably an elevated space outside. With this two-in-one project, you’re sure to hear birds chirping and see beautiful flowers you might not normally think to have them. Enjoy!

About the author:

Gaby Galvin is a Washington Gardener Magazine summer 2015 intern who is studying multiplatform journalism at the University of Maryland. She does some gardening at home in Davidsonville, MD, with her mother and grandparents. 

 
This is the fourth in a 5-part series on DIY projects for the home gardener. Look for the next installments in this DIY blog series on the 1st of each month (through December 2015) here at washingtongardener.blogspot.com. 

 

Image sources: Lowes.com