Home-made Bird Bath

I built a homemade bird bath using a leaf from my Sum & Substance hosta plant.

I certainly don't need another bird bath. We have 2 ponds with waterfalls the birds love to play in, an old plastic bird bath and a terra cotta one that is at ground level for the chickens when they are free-ranging. But I saw this done and really, really had to have it!

It was very simple to do, sort of winged it as I went along. My husband wasn't home so I literally mixed the cement myself, believe it or not! So proud of me! 

I made a mound of soil in a shady spot of the yard. (Next time, I'll dig a hole and do it in reverse). I had cut off a leaf from my Sum & Substance Hosta. It has lovely markings that will give the bath a pretty texture.

 Position Sum & Substance Hosta leaf on mound of dirt

 Slather on a layer of cement

 Chicken wire

Put wire on cement for added support

 Add a second layer

 Let dry for at least 2 days

 The reveal...now this is why next time I'll dig the hole. The cement 'fell' and  made a ring around the leaf creating this messy looking edge. Maybe I used too much cement, there was still loads on the body.

Notice a bit of the hosta I couldn't remove...it will wear off in time.

 Used an old tree stump as the holder

All in all, I'm very happy with my hosta bird bath. I've gotten used to the edge and it actually gives the birds somewhere to perch. 

 Filled with water

 The ladies inspecting the new water feature...that they can't reach. You can see their water behind them.

 My bird garden

You can see I like using old stumps. I have a bird house screwed into that tall one in the back. 

Hope you like my new bird bath! Have you ever made one?

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