How to Make a Water Fountain in the Flower Bed
A flower-bed fountain adds a dynamic landscaping feature to the garden. The relaxing sound of water provides an oasis in the yard. A homemade fountain creates a focal point with the play of light and water and the contrast of textures. Incorporating rustic materials adds to the natural effect. Build a container fountain in the garden without having to do any plumbing or electrical work. With a few supplies from a hardware or landscaping supply store and less than two hours, even a first-time fountain designer can create a functional fountain. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Half-barrel with waterproof liner
- Shovel or hoe
- Gravel or small stones
- Carpenter's level
- Medium fountain pump
- Rocks, 6 to 12 inches wide
- Garden hose
- Water plants such as papyrus or water lilies (optional)
Instructions
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1
Level an area a foot larger in diameter than the fountain container at the desired flower-bed location, using a hoe or the edge of a shovel. Add a layer of at least 1 inch of gravel or small stones.
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2
Check the surface of the gravel with a carpenter's level. Adjust the surface until it is level.
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3
Place a half-barrel with a waterproof liner on the gravel or rocks in the flowerbed. Add rocks to the container to help to hide the pump and to support water plants. Stack the rocks as high as you wish, to within 2 inches of the container's rim.
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4
Read all the instructions for the fountain pump. Turn it on if it has a power switch, but don't plug it in until you've finished setting up the flowerbed fountain. Place the fountain pump amid the rocks in the center of the container. Leave 1 inch of clearance around the fountain pump's vents. Keep the hole in the top of the pump's casing clear.
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5
Fill the flower-bed fountain with water to within 2 inches of the container's rim. Add water plants, if desired.
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6
Plug in the fountain pump.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose a location for your fountain that is free of a lot of leaf-fall in order to keep the fountain from filling with debris. A place near an electrical outlet proves convenience and avoids the problem of running outdoor extension cords and having to hide them.
Choose any waterproof container 2 to 4 feet wide for a medium-sized flower-bed fountain.
Select a shady or partial-shade location to reduce evaporation from the fountain.
Use only water plants in a fountain. Other plants will suffer root rot.
Do not place outdoor fountains in unfenced areas that could be accessible to children, due to drowning risk.
Keep the water level at least 1 inch deeper than the top of the pump. Allowing the pump to run with the water level below its vents can cause the pump to burn out.
Don't add dirt to the fountain; debris can damage the pump.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Water Lily image by Duane Keeler from Fotolia.com
