Okay, very, very clever, Al! I never thought to use the sprinkler system! I bet I can do that all over my yard. Just what my husband wants - another garden project, lol!! Still have to get the greenhouse up, and my wire up for my grapevines. And, figure out how to pound 2 posts in for 2 more grapevines I just found growing underneath some rosemary I trimmed back.

Patty S.

I love it, Al. I had no idea butterflies liked mud. I've actually got a spare sprinkler zone already connected to the timer that I didn't need when I converted the area to drip. Now I'm thinking about digging up one of those capped heads to water the feeders. That's a great idea.

Thanks for posting the pic! When I think bird bath I always think pedestals. But in my book on building bird gardens, they mention that birds actually prefer ground level water.

Patty, we in California are blessed with native grape vines, that actually bear grapes about the size of BBs that have no culinary value. They are almost impossible to kill. I have had them at least 40 feet long, with a trunk as big as your wrist, that had climbed up an oak tree. When the tree fell as a result of oak root fungus, dealing with the grape vine was worse than the tree. In the garden they are frequently found growing so close to a favored shrub I can not dig them out, and so cut them off at ground level every year. No, I don't consider them a blessing!

Lori if you are going to use one of your capped sprinkler heads, remember to use a pressure reducer to get the pressure down to 10 to 20 lbs. A bird bath at ground level has only one real drawback, the birds are at risk from cats and all cover close by will need to be cleared. Al

That's a great idea! Thanks for showing that. The big problem with bird baths is keeping the water filled and your method is an excellent solution.