DIY Water Features: Beautify your yard this fall
By AMY ROGNLIE
If you’re ready for a smallish fall project that will beautify your yard and won’t take too big of a bite out of your wallet, how about a DIY water feature? With a few basic tools and supplies, you can create a water fountain that will add that extra pizzazz — or serenity — to your garden. There are endless variations and creative touches you can add to a fountain, but here are two basic types to get you started.
Use a large ceramic pot as the main decorative element in this first type of fountain. You can choose a more neutral-colored pot that will blend into the background a bit or go big and bold with a bright color that will make a statement. The size and shape of pot that you choose is also up to you, but remember that the water pump will be inside the pot, so your pot would probably need to be at least 15 inches tall. If you are ambitious, you can also build a stacked fountain using several pots of different sizes with the pump housed in the largest one at the bottom. These types of fountains are reasonably easy to create in a few hours and can be moved to different spots in the garden, provided you have access to an electrical outlet or are using a solar pump.
If that sounds too daunting, try a watering can fountain. This creative repurposing utilizes a galvanized watering can as the decorative element, which produces a whimsical and fun water feature. This type of fountain can be created in less than an hour using the watering can, a rectangular plastic storage bin, some river rock, a grate or piece of stiff screening, and a fountain pump with tubing. This fountain can be made for $50 or less if you already have some of the supplies. I don’t know about you, but I already own a storage bin that could be (read: will soon be) repurposed for this project. A downside of this fountain is that it is stationary and can’t be moved around the yard, since the water reservoir (plastic storage bin) is set in the ground.
Water fountain kits that include a small electric water pump and tubing are inexpensive and readily available online or at the big box stores.
Solar pumps are also available, but from personal experience, I know that some of these are touchy and will only work when in full, direct sun. So, take your time planning for your fountain and be sure to browse online for full instructions and inspiration. You might be surprised at what you can create!
