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Blogger Wilmington, DE on Jun 28, 2012

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Making a succulent garden in an old birdbath

Upcycled an old, leaky birdbath into a beautiful succulent garden! I mixed about 2 parts compost to 1 part builder's sand and mounded it up in the birdbath basin using small rocks, then added the succulents.http://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com

complete directions at http://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/upcycle...

Time: 2 Hours Cost: $20 Difficulty: Easy

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This project cost a total of $20 because I used mostly materials and plants I already had. See it on "Our Fairfield Garden" board on Pinterest @ Barb Rosen and...

To see more: http://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com

83 Comments Displaying 25 of 83 comments | See Previous

Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

Mine was already leaky, Heather. If your birdbath still holds water, I would drill holes. Succulents don't like wet feet : )

on Aug 04, 2012 · Like 0
Elsie Goldie Oxnard, CA

This is really beautiful. I think I'll do one1 Thank you for sharing!

on Aug 22, 2012 · Like 0
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

Thanks, Elsie! If you want further directions check out http://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/upcycle...

on Aug 22, 2012 · Like 0
Mary Carter Bel Air, MD

Love those bird house succulents. Beautiful!!!!!!!

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0
Elizabeth Fowler Dalton, GA

I have a big Old birdbath that really looked bad and I did this several years ago My Hubby drilled holes in the bottom so it wouldn't hold water,it has been a success,I have pics. posted of it on Garden Share ,I have really enjoyed it.

on Aug 25, 2012 · Like 0
Jeanette freeze Purdy, MO

i have done this its standing in my fish tank 9 really stock tank

on Sep 20, 2012 · Like 1
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

What a great place to show off your planted bird bath, Jeanette!

on Sep 20, 2012 · Like 0
Linda Schroeder Camden Wyoming, DE

My mom did this in her backyard garden and it is beautiful!!

on Sep 20, 2012 · Like 0
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Where are the birdhouses?????????????? Am I missing something? Yes , I believe I have!

on Sep 21, 2012 · Like 0
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

No birdhouses on this one, Bernice! Shocking, I know : )

on Sep 21, 2012 · Like 1
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

Posted a new picture of the succulent birdbath in Fall. Still looking great although soon I'll have to take the tender "Blue Fingers" out to over winter it.
- 1
on Sep 23, 2012 · Like 1
Dee W Rock Creek, OH

Do you bring them indoors, or plant them in the ground?

on Sep 23, 2012 · Like 0
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

My zone is 6/7 , so they have to be potted up and come in for the winter.

on Sep 23, 2012 · Like 0
Pam W Durham, NC

I live in zone 7a and I leave these out all year round and they grow to a huge size!! Love them!

on Oct 02, 2012 · Like 0
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

Wow, Pam! Is it in a protected area? The information that I had said "tender perennial" which translates to "take it in for winter" around here! Maybe I'll try leaving one outside this year!

on Oct 02, 2012 · Like 0
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA

Barb Rosen - yes, but you're in DE so I figure your winters are probably a bit colder than Pam's are in NC. Her's may be safe but I'd be leery - especially if the tag says "tender perennial". Guess you could sacrifice one to see if it works or not!!

on Oct 02, 2012 · Like 0
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

Didn't see Pam was in North Carolina until now - better bring'em in : (

on Oct 03, 2012 · Like 0
Rose S Marietta, GA

i live in the Atlanta area and would love to do that, but the succulents would not survive the colder season. So I took my birdbaths, after a hawk kept pulling out the mosquito donuts and flinging them away, turned the top over. Now they look like giant mushrooms in my landscape. No more irritated hawk and no more Mosquitos, just huge shrooms. :-)

on Feb 16, 2013 · Like 0
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

Nice idea, Rose! Like you, I always try to use what I have!

on Feb 16, 2013 · Like 0
Joyce Flom Billings, MT

Barb, just saw your birdbath idea. It's beautiful! I had put trailing petunias in mine. Was okay, but not near as beautiful. Also, my birdbath isn't leaky, but birds have the pond to drink out of and birdbath was always needing cleaning, so - -. Anyway, guess I'll put a drain hole in this year. Always nice to get others ideas. Looks like you have a beautiful yard - would like to see more of it.

on Mar 14, 2013 · Like 0
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

Thanks, Joyce Flom ! This was a very leaky birdbath left by the former owners. Succulents were perfect in it. Hope you'll keep stopping by, more to come! (check out my website/blog for more pictures!)

on Mar 14, 2013 · Like 0
Rose S Marietta, GA

after seeing this this morning, I ran right out and bought some sedums. Now my question is, how do you keep the plants from drowning when there is heavy rain? I have two birdbath's that I'd like to "convert", and drilling through concert is just Bout impossible.

on Mar 15, 2013 · Like 0
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

This birdbath is leaky as a sieve Rose S ! If they aren't able to be drilled and are deep enough, mound sand and rocks up, then the dirt and plant the top with sedums - that might give it enough drainage to work. Or use water loving plants and the problem is solved!

on Mar 15, 2013 · Like 0
Rose S Marietta, GA

thanks Barb, I appreciate the hint. I will pile up and use lots of rocks. I am somewhat once rend because we have had lots of rain this winter. But then the summer season ay be another story.

on Mar 15, 2013 · Like 0
Barb Rosen Wilmington, DE

If it doesn't work, do what I do Rose S , switch it out : )

on Mar 15, 2013 · Like 0