How to Build a Garden Fountain out of a Birdbath

If you have a birdbath in your yard, you know the benefits of it. The birds in the area flock to it to get a drink or take a bath. This is a wonderful sight to behold; however, you can actually improve on it. You can add a garden fountain to your birdbath very easily. It will take a few materials, some of your time and effort, but the results will be well worth it. The sound of water trickling in the fountain is very calming. Birds and other animals can enjoy your creation, and so will you. The garden fountain will also increase the value of your home by improving its landscape.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Rake
• Small water pump
• Water pump cover
• Rocks, colored stones or marbles
• Small copper elbow
• Flexible tubing

Instructions

1. Gather all of the items needed for the fountain. This includes the birdbath and a small, waterproof pump with a cover. Decide which items you want to use to create the fountain with. These could be marbles, rocks, stones or other waterproof objects. You also need to have tubing that fits the pump and a copper elbow that fits the tubing. Most of these items can be obtained from your local nursery or other landscape-type business.

2. Select the location for your garden fountain. Find an area that is flat and has plenty of room for your birdbath. Use a shovel and rake to level it out, if you have to. If you want birds to actually use your fountain, place it somewhere out of the way. It is more likely to be used when there is not much traffic in the area around your birdbath.

3. Add the water pump to your fountain. Place the pump with its cover (or some other type of protection) in the middle of the birdbath. Place the tubing in the pump and add the elbow to it. You will have to cut the tubing to the length you need it to be. Measure the height of your fountain and add a few inches to this. If you are not sure of the finished height of the fountain, you can wait until you have completed it to cut the tubing.

4. Place the final parts of your garden fountain in the birdbath. To complete your fountain, position the objects (rocks, stones, marbles) around and on top of the pump with the tubing going up through the center of them. You can go as high as you want, as long as it is secure and supported properly. Test it for strength as you are adding the objects and move them around if needed. Once you are content with the design, place the elbow on the tubing with the water flow going down and over the objects. Add water to your fountain and turn it on. You may have to make a few adjustments to get the right flow. The water pump will have instructions on how to change the flow.

Tips & Warnings

• The pump for your garden fountain must be covered completely with water to work correctly. Make certain your birdbath is deep enough or the pump is small enough to accomplish this.

• You can buy covers for a good number of water pumps on the market today. You can also exercise your imagination to build your own instead. Try putting various-sized containers on top of the water pump.