Building a Birdbath Garden

If you're like me then you love nature, especially plants. Bringing the outside in is a great way to provide cleaner air in your home. It's also proven to keep you happier! Plants are amazing for a number of reasons, but the fact that they look cool and can add a natural touch to any room is a reason of its own to buy them.

A couple of months ago, I stopped by a garage sale and noticed a beautiful birdbath on the lawn. When I asked if it was for sale, they said it was $20. For that amount of money, how could I let it go! Birdbaths can be pretty pricey and finding one you love that's affordable and in good condition rarely happens. At the time, I didn't have a backyard, but I was thinking about how I could get creative and use it inside my apartment.

First, I thought of making it into a table by filling it with rocks and shells, and then topping it off with a piece of glass. Definitely something you should try! But I was trying to make this a cheaper project, so I thought of the next best thing — a birdbath garden!

You can search garage sales in your neighborhood to find a birdbath, or stop by the New Leaf Garden and Design Center to see if they have any that interest you.  If you don't find any there, then don't give up your search. Try garden centers outside your area if you need to. It might take you a while to find one. Shopping around is the most work this project entails. Once you find one you love, the rest is super easy.

Now, since the birdbath is not that deep, you can only use certain plants in it. I find that cactus and succulents are the best way to go because they don't need a lot of dirt to live and you only have to water them once a month.  So, I was on my way to creating a little haven of desert plants. Here's how I did it:

First, buy a couple of bags of rocks — any will do — and place a half-inch layer on the bottom of the birdbath. You need to do this for drainage. Check out the Squirrels Nest on Brower Avenue to see what they carry or Instant Karma on South Village Avenue. They carry lots of spiritual and natural gifts, so get ready to be inspired!

Then buy some organic soil (unless you have some around the house) and fill a thin layer over the rocks and make sure they're all covered. I'm sure you can find some at Schenone G. B. Nursery on North Long Beach Road, but if not, then visit other garden centers in your area.

Now, plant about four to five plants with a couple of inches in between them.  Give them some room to breathe. I purchased my succulents at Ikea (they're only $4 there) but any garden center or Home Depot type store should have them too.  Usually, everyone has a store or nursery they like to go to, so feel free to do what you like or shop around.

Once you have the plants placed where you want them, fill in the spaces with some more soil so they're safe and secure. You don't want the roots sticking out! 

Last but not least, place another layer of rocks on top so you don't just see dirt.  This will be the finishing touch that will make your birdbath garden look awesome. Now make sure you keep your garden by a window because succulents need lots of light. I wouldn't want your new buddies to die too soon!

I hope you have fun shopping around for the elements that will make this DIY project a beautiful addition to your home. I promise it will look amazing and end up being a cool conversational piece to any room. Good Luck!  Stay tuned for many more easy and fun ideas you can do in your home - DIY style. Have design questions or need some tips? Feel free to contact me and I'll be more than happy to share some advice.