Make your own bird bath for a decorative accent to your garden or yard at low cost. Being creative when choosing and decorating the pots will add a special touch to your project. The bird bath is easy for children to make in a smaller version as a school or summer project.
Sand any rough areas of the pot and saucer, including the rim. Seal the pot and saucer with polyurethane if they were not purchased with a sealer on them. Polyurethane can be sprayed or brushed onto the items. Paint, etch or otherwise decorate the pots and saucer prior to applying polyurethane. Choose outdoor paints, which are more fade-resistant.
The bird bath is best placed in a flower bed or similar area soil where it can be set in securely. Dig a two-inch hole in the location the bird bath will be placed. Set one pot with rim side down into the hole. Fill the hole and secure soil approximately one inch high around the pot to stabilize it.
Place the second pot right side up on top of the first pot. You can seal or glue the pots together with a silicone caulk or construction adhesive; however, it is not necessary since the weight of the bird bath will hold the pots in place.
Set the saucer right side up on top of the second pot. This will be the bath portion. You can seal the saucer to the pot with silicone caulk or construction adhesive if desired.
Add rocks or ceramic figurines in the saucer for decoration, if desired. Stones to stand on and frogs are common in bird baths. Fill the bath with water and wait for birds to arrive.
Alternatively, instead of using pots for the base, use a terra cotta pipe. Seal the pipe and saucer with polyurethane. Dig a hole eight to 10 inches deep and wide enough for the pipe to be set in. Fill the hole with quick-drying cement and place one end of the pipe into the hole. Once the cement is hardened, fill the hole with dirt. Place the saucer right side up on top of the pipe, sealing the two together with silicone caulk or construction adhesive. Fill saucer with water and decorations.