How to Convert a Fountain Into a Garden Planter
Most fountains require some style of catch basin to retain and recycle water. These basin forms make perfect receptacles to be converted into garden planters. The best reasons for converting a fountain into a garden planter are to recycle a non-functioning fountain, to save water and electricity, or to reduce the labor required in maintaining a water feature. You can also convert a fountain into a garden planter simply for the decorative effect. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Used fountain
- Planting soil
- Broken clay pot shards or stones
- Drill
- Plants
- Shovel or trowel
Instructions
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Remove the basin from the rest of the fountain, or, if your fountain has a decorative sculpture or has tiered basins that can be used, leave it intact. Remove the pump and any electrical wiring. You are basically converting the fountain basin or basins into containers. Reusing these containers will make perfect garden planters.
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Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the fountain basin to convert it into a functional planter. Holes should be at least ¼ inch for small basins less than two feet in diameter. For larger basins, holes would be better at ½ inch in width. Make at least a half dozen drainage holes spaced at least two inches apart at the lowest areas of the fountain planter.
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Create drainage by pouring a layer of broken clay pot crocking or small stones over the bottom of the fountain planter basin. The layer of drainage material should be at least two to three inches deep in a larger container. If you are dealing with a relatively shallow basin, make the layer at least an inch deep or as deep as possible so there will still be room for planting soil and plant roots above.
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Fill the adapted planter with loam or potting soil over the drainage material. Spread the planting medium to an inch or two below the lip of the fountain basin.
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Plant the converted fountain containers. The size and varieties of plant material will depend on how large the fountain basin is that you are planting. Also keep in mind where the planters will be located so you select plants that will do well in the conditions.
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Use an assortment of foliage shapes to make a decorative planting. Higher, strap shaped leaves will make a handsome contrast to more rounded plants.
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Plant trailing plants that can cascade down the sides of a tiered fountain to create a highly decorative garden planter.
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You can convert a fountain into a garden planter using either the whole fountain or just the water-containing basin. The resulting garden can become a decorative container that can function as both an ornament in the landscape and a specialty garden with a beauty of its own.
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Resources
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