DIY Network

Galvanized Pipe Pedestals Elevate planters, birdbaths and more with galvanized pipe. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-165

Recycle a trash can lid into this easy-to-clean birdbath.

Giving plants and decorative items height is a great way to B. Original in the yard and garden—but it's often difficult. Anything you use needs to be weatherproof, strong and easy to work with.

Michele Beschen has found a perfect solution: galvanized pipe. It's strong, it stands up to any weather conditions and it screws together like the lid on a jar of peanut butter. From planters to birdbaths to scarecrows, galvanized pipe lifts your landscaping design up off the ground.

Scroll down for Michele Beschen's easy how-to for "planting" a galvanized pipe, plus instructions of converting a metal trash can lid to a birdbath.

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Figure A

"Planting" Galvanized Pipe

• To install a galvanized pipe into the ground, put a coupler on the end to protect the threads (figure A) and drive it into the ground using a fence post driver.

• Attach a 3/4" flange (if using a 3/4" pipe) to the bottom of the planter, birdbath or other garden installation and twist it onto the pipe.

	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Galvanized Birdbath

Materials:

metal trash can lid
metal cut-off wheel
3/4" galvanized pipe
3/4" flange
drill with metal bit
nuts, bolts, washers
plumber's putty
tub and tile caulk
rocks
water

• Use the metal cut-off wheel to cut the handle from the trash can lid (figure B).

• Place the 3/4" flange where the handle was and mark the locations for bolts.

• Using a drill bit designed for metals, drill holes for the bolts where marked.

• Attach the flange to the trash can lid using nuts, bolts and washers. Tighten (figure C).

• Flip the lid flange-side down. Use plumber's putty to patch any holes in the lid. Apply tub and tile caulk to seal around the nuts and bolts (figure D).

• Let the caulk dry and thread the lid onto the galvanized pipe. Fill the birdbath with rocks and water.