Some gardens are for veggies, some are for flowers, and some are showcases. If you want a garden that provides decoration and drama, there’s no more exciting addition than a garden fountain or water feature. There are so many different ways to implement a water feature in your own garden—you can buy a pre-made fountain, dig a space for a pond or pool, or build something yourself depending on your tastes and needs. This blog will be a very brief introduction to the basics of garden fountains and water features; we’ll include links to more detailed resources and we’ll try our best to include something for everyone.
The first thing we learned in researching this blog is that water features can be as big and complicated as you make them, but at every level they should be designed and implemented correctly. The best suggestion we can offer is that you take your time planning what you’d like to see in your garden space, where to put it, and how you’ll install the feature that you want. It’s OK to start small and then grow into more as you figure out what you want; the gradual approach is cheaper and easier than digging a pond, realizing you don’t like it, and then having to replace it!
The first thing to consider is a fountain, either purchased from a garden center or one that you build yourself. They come in a variety of sizes, and many can be easily installed with a garden hose and a weatherproof extension cord. The basic designs tend to be consistent and simple: a reservoir—sometimes self-contained, sometimes fed from the hose—supplies water to a pump that either shoots the water into the air or makes it run down a decorative surface. While these do require care and cleaning (more on that later) they’re fairly easy to install, available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, and are generally the easiest way to get started with a garden water feature. For those of us with a DIY mindset, there are even designs we can make ourselves and that can be fun too.
The next option for a garden water feature is a pond or pool. Like fountains, these can come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and implementations, but they do tend to involve a lot more work when it comes to installation and maintenance. There are a number of possible ways to create a garden pond or garden pool, ranging from digging a pond yourself and waterproofing the space with sand and a flexible waterproof liner to digging a space for a pre-shaped plastic or fiberglass liner. You can even go so far as to make a pond out of poured concrete, but we feel that’s a bit much for a garden project unless you have specialized tools and knowledge. Regardless of the installation, your garden pond or pool should be carefully positioned to control runoff. Runoff can flow either into or out of your pond; heavy rain can lead your garden pool to overflow or runoff from another source can find its way into your water feature. An overflowing garden pond, pool, or fountain can flood nearby buildings or vehicles and lead to a good deal of damage, so careful positioning is important! Many municipalities have strict building codes for in-ground water features so please make sure you follow all applicable laws while designing and installing one. And again—it’s better to start small and expand later than put in a pond that’s far too large.
Garden ponds, pools, and fountains are wonderful things. They attract and support wildlife and helpful insects, they add beauty, visual interest, or even drama, and they can completely transform the feel or a garden space. The also require some care and maintenance in order to look and function their best. Even a natural-style pool can benefit from water circulation and aeration, generally accomplished by installing a waterproof pump on the bottom. Fountains need regular care and cleaning; with a store-bought complete fountain it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions but there are some good general guidelines here if you’ve built your own fountain or misplaced the instructions for the one you have. As always we suggest consulting your local garden club or cooperative extension office, as they may be able to provide information for your specific climate and location.
We know there’s a lot to learn, but hopefully this helps you get started. Whether you put in a small DIY fountain or a large sculpted pond, a water feature can be a wonderful addition to your garden space. If you have direct experience with water features (especially if you’ve installed them professionally) we’d love to hear from you and listen to any advice you have to share!
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