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Like bird feeders, birdbaths are a simple way to attract more feathered visitors to your yard. If you’re decidedly un-handy, you can simply put a large saucer from a terra cotta planter set on the lawn. Change out the water and scrub it clean periodically, and voila! You have an easy-breezy — and cheap — bird bath bowl. Wondering why birds want nothing to do with your birdbath? It’s probably because it’s not elevated. Birds prefer to bathe a little off the ground — how high depends on the species — so they can more easily spot predators. You’ll need to use a terra cotta planter set. Decorate it, seal it, flip the pot upside down, glue the saucer to the base, fill it with water, and add a few stones.
These terra cotta planters are affordable and ubiquitous. Chances are you have some lying around your garden shed right now. The pots can easily be found at thrift stores for spare change; even buying sets new is unlikely to break the bank. They’re easy to clean, with few crevices for dirt and bacteria to harbor, and look good even if you decide not to decorate them. The only downside to terra cotta is that it’s unglazed and, therefore, porous. Any water you put in will slowly seep out unless you seal your planter and saucer. You’ll need to find a non-toxic way of sealing the material— making it waterproof — before you can use it.
Source everything
One planter and its matching saucer are enough for this project, with the saucer glued in place atop the upside-down pot. However, don’t be afraid to get creative. Stacking pots one inside the other or atop one another hourglass style can add height to your birdbath. You could even stack multiple pot and saucer sets to create a tiered, Renaissance fountain-style feature. Grab a pen and pencil and quickly sketch out your idea before raiding your garden shed or going shopping. Done? It’s time to look for your planter set, something with a water dish more than 12 inches across and around 4 inches deep. Lowe’s has 12-inch Pennington terra cotta clay plant saucers for $16.98. Fit that atop any sized terra cotta planter, like this 10-inch diameter Fcacti pot for $28.99 on Amazon.
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Already have a planter but no matching saucer? Look for a large terra cotta bowl instead. Get something glazed, and you won’t even have to go to the bother of sealing it. Other materials and tools you’ll need for this project include fine-grit sandpaper for sanding any rough or sharp bits on the pots; a non-toxic sealer (for example, eco-friendly waterproof paint, tung oil, or epoxy sealer); decorative items like paint pens (the ones that you bake to seal them), or tiles and marbles (for mosaic); waterproof glue suitable for use on porous surfaces, like E6000 craft adhesive, $3.97 from Walmart; and rocks in assorted sizes for perches.
Get making
Let’s say you’re making a simple saucer-on-pot birdbath. First, sand your planter set until smooth and wash with a scrubbing brush and warm, soapy water. Let each piece dry thoroughly — this may take hours to days, depending on the weather. If you plan to decorate your bird bath, be it with paint pens or mosaics, do it now. Seal using your non-toxic, animal-friendly sealer of choice. You can join the two pieces together once the sealer has cured (follow the manufacturer’s instructions for wait times). Squeeze a generous circle of glue on the base of the saucer, not too close to the edge, wait for it to get slightly tacky, and press it firmly onto the upturned planter.
Wait for the glue to set completely before placing it in your garden or on your deck and filling your new birdbath with fresh water. Choose a spot uncrowded by shrubs so the bathing birds have a clear view of their surroundings, and you can watch, too. Don’t forget to place a few stones in the middle and sides of the planter. This will give birds and insects some grip as they bend to drink and help any teeny critters that fall into the water get out again. Bring the bath inside if you see signs of snow. Terra cotta birdbaths left outside during winter may crack with repeated freezes and thaws.
