The sound of moving water is soothing and helps us to de-stress
after a long day. That is one of the reasons water features have become
so popular for outdoor décor. Combine the soothing factor with the fact
that water features look nice and it's easy to see why they are so
appealing. The only thing that hinders some people from installing a
water feature in their backyard is they don't want (or are unable) to
dig up the ground space for it. There is a way to have the soothing
sound of water without having to reach for a shovel when you use this
idea for creating a no-dig water feature, complete with aquatic plants,
that can be installed not only in the backyard, but will also work on a
porch or patio.
Select a Container
Any
water-tight container can be transformed into a water feature. Select a
container that fits in with your outdoor décor and is at least 12 inches
deep.
Get Pumping
The next item you need is a
pump. Purchase an inexpensive fountain kit and a submersible pump to get
the water pumping in your soon-to-be water feature. The kit and pump
can be found at any garden center and some big box retail stores.
Set Up
The chosen container will need to be set up near an outdoor electric
outlet so the pump can be plugged in. The location also needs to receive
at least four hours of direct sunlight each day to help keep the water
clear and the aquatic plants alive. Most water plants do better when
they are sheltered from the afternoon sun, so a location that receives
morning sun only is perfect.
Aquatic Plants
If you choose to place aquatic plants in your new water feature, choose easy-care water lettuce or rush (Juncus).
Leave the aquatic plants in pots, cover the top of the soil with
decorative pebbles and place the pots in the water so the rims are just
below the water's surface. Use bricks or stones under the pots to
achieve the proper water level.
Check Daily
The
hotter the temperature, the quicker the water will evaporate from the
water feature, so check it daily and add water as needed. Not only will
the aquatic plants be apt to die if the water level gets too low, but if
the pump is exposed to air while it's running it can be damaged.
