Time

1 - 2 hours

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

Less than $50

Introduction

Birds are a cheerful and entertaining presence in a yard. If you're short on feathered friends or would like more of them, there are some easy projects that are, well, for the birds. You can make a birdbath, a bird feeder and, of course, a birdhouse. But you'll need a place to put those things.

It's simple to hang a bird feeder or a birdhouse from a tree branch—if you have a tree. When no tree is available or if you need to get the birdhouse into a better location where birds actually nest, you may need to install a birdhouse post and attach the house to it.

If you built the birdhouse yourself or know your way around a woodworking studio, you can install the post for it too. You can make the post from scrap lumber or use a pressure-treated cedar 4x4 post. If not, you'll find wood posts at your local home improvement store. Choose a post that will balance nicely with the proportions of the birdhouse and allow room for the brackets you'll use to attach it.

Tools Required

  • Carpet knife
  • electric drill
  • Level
  • Paint (optional)
  • Screwdriver

Materials Required

  • 25-pound package of easy-mix concrete
  • 4 small mounting brackets and screws
  • 4x4 cedar post
  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Cardboard concrete form (cylinder shape)

Project step-by-step (5)

Step 1

Dig a hole

Dig a hole about 2 in. wider than the post. (Remember to call 811 before you dig.) The hole should be about 12 in. deep. Insert the cardboard cylinder into the hole and use the carpet knife to cut it about 10 to 15 in. above the ground.

dig a hole

Step 2

Attach brackets to post

Use the pencil to mark each side for the placement of the metal brackets. Wearing safety goggles, drill the holes and screw in each bracket. If desired, paint the brackets to match the birdhouse pole and birdhouse.

Attach brackets to post birdhouse pole

Step 3

Mix concrete and place post

Pour the dry concrete into the bucket, add water and stir it to a slightly mushy consistency. Follow the instructions on the package to mix the concrete.

Pour about one-third of the concrete mixture into the hole, place the birdhouse pole on top and use the trowel or spoon to surround the pole with the remaining concrete.

Ensure the birdhouse pole is standing straight by aligning the level to one side and adjusting as needed. Allow the concrete to harden and cure for 24 to 48 hours.

Fill tube with cement and insert post birdhouse pole

Step 4

Drill holes into the birdhouse

Set the birdhouse on the post and use the pencil to mark the remaining bracket holes. Drill the holes and screw the birdhouse to the post.

Drill holes into the birdhouse

Step 5

Cut away the form

Using the carpet knife, cut off any portion of the cardboard form that protrudes over the cement. Cover the cement and the surrounding area with dirt, then cover with pine needles or mulch.

Once the birdhouse post project is complete and your birdhouse is up, wait a few days for the new tenants to arrive. In the meantime, you can clean your birthbath so they’ll have a source of water. Hang a suet bell nearby and the fun will soon begin.

Cut away the form