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Add ANOTHER Water Feature! Just Do It!

© Barbara M. Martin

editors note June 2000: In the years since this was written, many of the links have "gone". New (June 2000) articles on easy, simple water gardening you might also enjoy Fountains You Can Make and Quick and Easy Mini Pond.

(I'm sorry -- some of the links in this article have become outdated after over two years, but the message hasn't. Enjoy! 4/99)

My last article on container water gardens suggested adding a fountain. The folks at (sorry bad link) Maryland Aquatic Nurseries know quite a bit about these little gardens. Their photograph of patio scaled container gardens shows some good candidates for this treatment.

Whether you opt for the ready made fountain or create your own, some understanding of the inner workings of fountains will be helpful. For EXCELLENT straightforward pointers on the basics of fountain mechanics, go to Waterworks. This site even shows you a gallery of fountains created by both kids and adults. (Some include audio.)

Anyone considering creating their own fountain should also take a close look at the old fashioned Watering Can Fountain for an extremely simple but fun installation. You CAN do this!

With a little imagination and a free afternoon, you can create all kinds of entertaining effects with a fountain! Soon you'll be amazed at how you can make water features like a pro! Just think what you could do in a weekend!

Planning a fountain isn't too difficult but it takes a little thought. You will have to consider the container, the pump, and what type of water pattern you want to achieve. Then you will have to juggle the three to approximate the effect you have in mind because the three factors interact, sometimes in surprising ways.

Keep in mind that the pump used to power the fountain must be underwater at all times. The pump will recirculate the water to create that endless flow we associate with the magic of fountains. So whatever container or basin you use must be deep enough to keep the pump submerged. Pumps are sized according to how far and how high they can move a particular number of gallons per minute. Obviously, a tiny fountain will not need a massive pump, and vice versa. Most water garden and fountain supply houses can help you figure out what you will need. As a rule, mail order catalogs from the larger companies such as (sorry bad link) Van Ness Water Gardens are full of great tips and all kinds of useful facts, too, so you can bone up ahead of time.

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