What is the best/ easiest concrete for bird bath and stamped walk?

Have one of those plastic stampers for small walk way, and want to make a pretty bird bath. Wondering which type and brand of concrete to get for project. Some do's and don'ts tips highly appreciated also..

  5 answers
  • John John on Jun 25, 2017

    The retailer of concrete products (big box stores or established hardware stores) usually has someone on staff with expertise who will help you.

  • Lea Loftice-Rigney Lea Loftice-Rigney on Jun 25, 2017

    Quickcrete works well. You can find this at Home Depot and Lowes.

  • Gayle Tucker Gayle Tucker on Jun 25, 2017

    Quickcrete is what we used for our pathway with the stamper. Be sure to save some of the powder from the Quickcrete to scatter over the wet cement before placing your stamp. Makes it easier to remove the stamp. For your birdbath, Quickcrete will work also. Find an appropriate size plastic container and oil it. Then try to find a very large leaf(rhubarb, philodendron) and after the cement has dried a little, press the leaf into the mixture for a good imprint. You can either remove the leaf now or use a stiff brush to get it out after the concrete dries. Flip the container over and remove your new concrete birdbath. You can place it on a stand or just on the ground. Look at all the different stains you can use to color concrete. You might want to add some color to your birdbath. Do not use your birdbath for at least three weeks. Concrete can be toxic to birds and little animals until it dries well.

  • Tammie Arvila Tammie Arvila on Jun 25, 2017

    When we had leftover concrete from a project I would dig a shallow hole in the ground, line it with a black plastic trash bag and pour the concrete onto the bag. Using your fingers, push the concrete around the edges and bottom, making an edge and a bowl shaped area in the middle for the bird bath. Embellish the edges ( don't put things in the bottom, they will just get yucky over time with algae ) with mosaic tile pieces, broken pottery, marbles, or impress leaf prints in them. What ever looks nice to you. Work quickly as the concrete dries pretty fast. Keep the concrete moist for a few days, watering it frequently to help it keep from cracking. You can also cover it with another piece of plastic. After about a week, your birdbath should be ready to remove from the ground and be put to use. I have found that the birdbath will last longer if you don't leave it out in the winter. Unless of course you live where it doesn't freeze! Hope you make something that you and the birds will love! Another FYI..... put a piece of a stick that will come out of the water so if there are insects that get stuck in there while getting a drink, they can climb up the stick and not drown. This helps the bees and little bugs like lady bugs!

  • Kathleen Marie Borkowski Kathleen Marie Borkowski on Jun 25, 2017

    Thank you all.. I was hoping quikcrete was the answer.. cool.