Choose the Right Outdoor Fountain for Your Backyard Garden

Achieving a beautiful garden can be easy with the addition of the right outdoor fountain. Like fire, water has a mesmerizing effect on us.

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Listening to the sound of water gently splashing in a fountain can put you in a relaxed mood quickly.

Instead of expensive renovation and refurbishing, simply installing a fountain can change the appearance of the property drastically.

The choices are endless, as there are thousands of fountains to choose from.

You can find the perfect fountain for your garden, choosing from numerous materials and many different styles, sizes, shapes and colors.

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Tips:

1. First of all you should decide on placement of your future addition. An outdoor fountain on a wall or tucked away in a corner will call for a different style than a fountain on display in the center of a garden.

However, generally garden fountains should be surrounded by some foliage.

Keep in mind also, that unless you have a solar pump, you will need to connect the pump to an electric outlet. Consider where your outlets are, and how you will hide the cord.

2. Before you buy a fountain, you should decide:

a) What type of feature you want (spray, trickle, bubbling or cascading water, etc.) taking into consideration the size of your yard and/or pond as well as your budget.
b) The fountain should be in proportion to the size of the yard or lawn. A large fountain in a small yard can make it appear cramped. A small fountain in a big lawn does not catch the attention of visitors. For a very small porch, you can add an outdoor wall fountain in a corner.
c) The fountain should not look out of place in its surroundings. Fortunately, it is easy to find fountains in various styles and designs in the market today.

3. Fountains are made from many different materials, including concrete, terracotta, millstones, carved or cast stone and realistic, lightweight fiberglass or faux-stone. No matter which type of outdoor garden fountain you choose, it’s wise to find out exactly how frost-resistant the material is before you buy it. Ice may fracture certain materials, particularly fountain bowls.

4. Decide what type of outdoor fountains you want: pedestal or basin.

a) Pedestal fountains are usually placed against a sturdy wall.
b) Basin fountains are usually placed where they can be viewed from multiple angles.

5. Fountains come in a range of prices.

a) The more elaborate ones with detailed workmanship are expensive.
b) Smaller fountains built on modern, minimalist lines are cheaper.
c) Ceramic founts are expensive, but fiberglass and copper fountains are not.
d) Bamboo fountains are perfect for the yard. They are eco friendly, light, and pocket-friendly.
e) You can also consider terracotta fountains for your porch or lawn, as they cost less than metal and stone fountains.

6. It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your garden fountain to make sure that it is functioning properly. You should also speak with your landscaper about adding a routine check for your fountain.

7. Water fountains can be a hazard if you have small children and pets at home. Children can fall into pools, and pets may lap up water, that contains chemicals, from the pool. If possible, choose from outdoor water fountains that are out of reach of children, such as wall fountains. They are the safest.