How to Make a Fountain With Watering Cans

Make a fountain with decorative ceramic watering cans.

Eclectic outdoor fountains add a touch of whimsy and charm to your landscaping. You can make your own tiered, cascading fountain with watering cans and a terra cotta planter. Select watering cans with an unhindered opening at the top and the handle on the side to make your fountain. Change the decor of the fountain with the types of watering cans that you use; old watering cans create a rustic style fountain while decorative ceramic watering cans create a cottage garden style fountain.

Things You'll Need

• 6 by 6-inch treated wood post
• Saw
• Measuring tape
• Marker
• 2 L brackets
• 1/4-inch thick treated plywood
• Screw driver
• Screws
• Shovel
• Mortar mix
• Bucket
• 12-inch diameter terra cotta pot
• Submersible fountain pump
• Duct tape
• Silicone sealant
• 2 watering cans
• Plastic tubing
• Scissors
• Waterproof construction adhesive

Instructions

1. Cut a 6 by 6-inch treated wood post to measure 6 feet long. Mark a line 15 inches from one end of the post. This is the depth measurement for burying the post in the ground securely.

2. Measure and mark the post 2 feet from the depth measurement. This mark indicates the placement for the first support shelf. Measure and mark the post 2 feet from the first support shelf line. This line is the placement for the second support shelf.

3. Attach one L bracket in the center of any of the four 6-inch post sides. The top of the bracket should rest flush with the first shelf line. Roll the post a quarter turn and place the second L bracket in the center of the adjacent side so that the top of the bracket rests flush with the second shelf line.

4. Cut two 12-inch square sections from a sheet of 1/4-inch thick plywood. These are the shelf supports for the watering cans. Attach one shelf to the top of each L bracket with screws.

5. Dig a 15-inch hole where you plan to place the watering can fountain. Mix the mortar. Stand the post in the hole. Fill in around it with mortar. Allow the mortar to dry.

6. Place the submersible fountain inside the 12-inch diameter terra cotta pot. Feed the power cord through the drain opening. Seal the underside of the planter opening around the cord with a strip of duct tape. Seal the inside opening around cord with silicone. The duct tape provides a base for the silicone. Allow the silicone to dry.

7. Place one watering can on each shelf. Position the spout of the top watering can over the top opening of the lower watering can. Position the spout of the lower watering can over the opening of the terra cotta pot. If the watering can spouts do not flow straight into the containers, tilt the watering cans by placing a wooden wedge beneath the side opposite the spout. You can also elevate one side of the watering can with a few small stones to tilt the spout over the container.

8. Cut a length of plastic tubing to fit from the fountain pump to the inside of the top opening of the highest watering can. Secure the tubing to the can with duct tape. Attach the other end of the tubing to the pump.

9. Fill the planter and both watering cans with water. Start the pump. Make sure that the water flows correctly from the top watering can to the lower watering can to the planter. Adjust the placement as needed. Glue the bottoms of the watering cans in place with waterproof construction adhesive.

References

• Hometips: How to Cut Wood with a Handsaw

Resources

• Graystone Creations: Frequently Asked Questions about Fountain Pumps