DIY Mosaic Bird Bath

Birds enjoy taking a dip in a cool bath during the hot summer months. A mosaic birdbath can be created with hypertufa, a mixture of easy-to-find materials that creates a lightweight but strong version of cement. You can tailor the mosaic design of the birdbath to match a patio set or blend in with the flower garden. Position small ceramic tiles to create a simple pattern of circular stripes or more complex designs like letters or symbols.

6 cups Portland cement
6 cups peat moss
6 cups vermiculite
Wheelbarrow
Water
Large plastic bowl
Plastic gloves
Hand trowel
Garden snips
1-inch ceramic tiles
Strong rope
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Mix the cement, peat moss and vermiculite together in the wheelbarrow.
- 2
  Slowly add water until the hypertufa mixture is damp and holds together.
- 3
  Line the plastic bowl with the hypertufa mixture, using the trowel, to a uniform 2-inch thickness. Put on the gloves.
- 4
  Position the ceramic tiles in the hypertufa to create the mosaic, beginning in the center of the bowl. Press the tiles firmly into the damp hypertufa.
- 5
  Let the hypertufa dry for three days.
- 6
  Cut the bowl away from the hypertufa with the garden snips.
- 7
  Cut four lengths of rope to at least 3 feet each. Gather the rope lengths together and tie a knot at one end, letting 3 inches of rope ends fall below the knot.
- 8
  Place the rope knot at the center of the outside bottom of the bird bath. Gather and tie the rope end tops to a tree branch.

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