Rhubarb Leaf Concrete Bird Bath
Attract more songbirds to your garden with this easy weekend project.
Equipment
- Safety gear (rubber gloves, face mask, apron, eye protection, etc.)
- Wheelbarrow or large bucket
- Water source
- Old trowel
- Plastic drop cloth
- Stiff bristle brush
- Chisel and hammer (optional)
Supplies
- Large rhubarb leaf
- Repair concrete *see note
- Vegetable oil or cooking spray
Instructions
- Put on protective gloves, glasses, and a mask. Mix the concrete according to the package instructions. The consistency should be on the drier, firmer side.
- In your garden bed, build a dirt mound in the shape you want your bird bath to take.
- Lay a plastic sheet overtop and place your rhubarb leaf on the plastic with the leaf vein facing up.
- Spray the leaf with cooking spray or brush with oil.
- Add a layer of concrete onto the leaf, gently patting it to remove air bubbles and to take its shape. Spread until you’re ½” away from the leaf’s edge, then gently round the edge of the leaf over the concrete to give the edges a refined look.
- Wrap the concrete in plastic and allow it to dry for 12 hours if hot or 24 hours if it’s cooler outside.
- Gently peel the leaf off the concrete before it’s fully dry.
- Let the concrete cure fully according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use a stiff brush to scrub off any remaining plant materials.
- Set your bird bath out in the garden!
Notes
For a smoother finish use lightweight concrete mix. For high-traffic areas, use heavier-weight concrete. Repair concrete is great for small, decorative projects.