Working outside in the summer sun can make you thirsty. We all look forward to a refreshing drink after weeding, planting, and working our gardens. All those little pollinators flying around in your garden can work up a thirst as well. It’s important to provide a watering station for them to access cool, fresh water.

You have several options for providing water to the pollinators in your garden. A birdbath is one option. But if you don’t have a birdbath, you can outfit your garden with a simple water bowl. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to make a nice bowl to provide water for the bees, birds and butterflies.

All you need to create a watering station is a small bowl and some rocks. But that doesn’t mean your watering bowl has to be boring. Let me show you some simple ways to make a decorative water bowl for pollinators in your garden that you’ll enjoy looking at as well.

Why Pollinators Need Water…

There are several reasons your garden pollinators need water regularly. They need water to cool down on a hot day. Native bees will also use water mixed with mud to form a seal on the holes that hold their eggs. Butterflies are partial to little mud holes. The mud provides minerals they need as well as water.

Honey bees need water to regulate the temperature of their hives in the summer. They also use water to thin down crystallized honey in the winter.

These are just a few benefits for providing water for the pollinators in our gardens.

READ: 10 Proven Ways to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden All Season Long

3 Simple Watering Bowl Ideas…

A Decorative Bowl with Stones

This is the easiest water bowl for pollinators. All you need is an attractive bowl to use in your garden. Maybe you have the perfect bowl in the back of your cupboard. Or take an afternoon and go thrifting to look for a great water bowl.

Choose a large container that’s wider than taller. A shallow ceramic or glass bowl would be a good option. You want something sturdy that’s not likely to break if you bump it. Metal is another option, however, metal is more likely to heat the water in the summer. Place a metal bowl in a shady area to prevent this.

If you want a “vintage” look for your water bowl, there are many options to choose. You could use an older pyrex bowl or casserole dish. Use the largest size you can find. Also consider using an enamelware bowl for your watering station. And get creative with your “stand.” Here the bowl is sitting on a rusty vintage scale.

Once you have your bowl, find a few stones that will sit above the waterline, giving the pollinators a place to perch. Just a few simple rocks will work, but you can use other natural elements as well. Instead of a stone, you could use a large shell or piece of garden decor. Floating pieces of wood will also provide a nice place for pollinators to land.

A Terracotta Saucer Decorated with Broken Plates (Mosaic)

For this bowl, select a large terracotta saucer as the base for your watering bowl. Next, you’ll need some chipped, cracked, or broken plates or bowls. Break the plates and bowls into small pieces you can use to line the bottom of the terracotta saucer. Be sure to wear sturdy gloves when working with the broken pieces, as they will be sharp.

Lay out your broken pottery pieces in a simple pattern in the base of the saucer. You can also create a fancy pattern if you like. Use tile adhesive to glue each piece to the terracotta saucer. Mix a batch of grout and spread into the cracks surrounding the broken pieces. Use a wet paper towel to wipe the grout off the broken pieces while it’s still wet. Then allow to dry for 24 hours. Finally, spray several coats of sealant on the inside of the terracotta saucer to seal and protect it from water.

If you want specific directions for making a creating a mosaic piece, follow the instructions on this post: How to Make Mosaic Flower Pots. Just place your broken pieces on the inside of your water bowl instead of on the outside.

A Pottery Bowl with Glass Gems

For this third idea, line a terracotta saucer or a shallow bowl with glass gems. The gems come in a variety of colors and they add sparkle to the water in the bowls to attract your pollinators. Spread out the gems in the bowl’s bottom. Be sure to leave one area high enough that some gems will be above the water level. Or you can place a large stone in one corner of your watering bowl.

Once you’ve created your bowl, fill it with water and place it in an area of your garden where you get plenty of pollinators. It won’t take long for them to find the water. You can also elevate the bowl so the pollinators have easier access. Place a plant stand, upside down pot, or small table in the area and set your water bowl on top. Be sure to fill it regularly for the thirsty pollinators.

Tips For Setting Up Your Water Bowls

1. Include water in a variety of areas if your garden is large. You might have a birdbath in your flower border and a water bowl in your vegetable patch. Give the pollinators several options.
2. Replace the water regularly. The water can get stagnant and become a breeding ground for mosquitos and bacteria. Include this in your daily or weekly chores to make sure that fresh water is always available.
3. Place your watering bowls where you can see and enjoy the pollinators. Once they find the watering source, they will return again and again.
4. Be sure to have a place where pollinators can sit. A lip on the bowl or a rock sticking out of the top of the water. A floating branch or upturned cup. Although simple, your water bowls don’t have to be blah.
5. Occasionally, clean your water bowl. Moss can build up over time. So empty the water and use a soft cloth to wipe out any dirt, moss or accumulated leaf matter.
6. Place your water stations close to flowers but in a partly shaded area so the water won’t get overheated.
7. Use what you have available, such as an old tree stump, to set your bowl on. This makes an easy water bowl for pollinators.

The next time you’re working hard in the garden and you have a powerful thirst, don’t forget that the pollinators would like a drink as well. You can easily provide them with the water they need by creating a simple water bowl. Then sit back, enjoy your refreshing drink and watch the show!