| A water-fountain garden will go anywhere in | | | | |
| the yard, on the patio, on a balcony, or a | | | | Be Calculating When Planning Your Water |
| porch and even indoors. But certain water | | | | Fountain Garden |
| features are better suited than others to | | | | |
| certain sights (and to certain gardeners, for | | | | Figure all costs in advance. Small gardens |
| that matter). | | | | are inexpensive, but large gardens can cost |
| | | | thousands of dollars. You don't want to find |
| What is Feasible for Installing a | | | | yourself in the position of the would-be |
| Water-Fountain Garden? | | | | water gardener who dug a large hole one |
| | | | spring weekend only to fill it in again |
| This should be your first question, and to | | | | because the liner was too expensive and |
| find out which water-fountain garden best | | | | didn't fit in the budget. |
| suits you, your resources, and your space, | | | | |
| you'll need to educate yourself. Be a "know | | | | You may need to contract a large project (or |
| it all" before you start, and you will be | | | | parts of it) to a professional. Pouring |
| well prepared to begin your water garden. | | | | concrete, installing electric lines, |
| | | | bricklaying, and excavation can be extensive |
| Check out prices and calculate what your | | | | (and expensive) and are jobs best left to the |
| budget can tolerate. Call garden suppliers | | | | pros. Most water fountains can be bought in |
| that handle water fountains and ask questions | | | | easy to install kits. |
| about their products. Also, visit local water | | | | |
| fountains. Talk with the owners or those who | | | | Assess your time and strength. A tub garden |
| care for them. Visit local clubs-many | | | | will take an hour or two to put together, but |
| communities have organizations that sponsor | | | | a large water fountain garden may take weeks |
| tours. If you're well informed, you'll make | | | | to dig and build. It will also require a good |
| better plans, find installation easier, and | | | | back and strong arms and legs. An |
| prevent frustrations down the road. | | | | 18-inch-deep, 6-foot by 4-foot hole may not |
| | | | sound like a big job, but it would probably |
| Size and Site for Planning a Water Fountain | | | | take a middle-aged man of average strength a |
| Garden | | | | half day to dig. For large projects, you can |
| | | | rent a backhoe. |
| First, check out your site. A large | | | | |
| water-fountain garden with a spectacular | | | | Maintenance of Your Water-Fountain Garden |
| waterfall will overwhelm a small lot. It also | | | | |
| might overwork your budget, your time, and | | | | Remember to calculate maintenance time, too. |
| your back. A small garden pool, on the other | | | | A tub garden with a water lily takes just a |
| hand, could get lost in an expansive | | | | few minutes a week. So does a freestanding or |
| landscape. | | | | a wall water fountain garden. Add plants and |
| | | | fish and you add more time. A garden just a |
| If you're planning anything more involved | | | | few feet across with a few plants and fish |
| than a pre-made fountain or container | | | | will need your attention for an hour or less |
| water-fountain garden, you'll also need to | | | | each week. Larger gardens can demand two or |
| check with city or county offices to find out | | | | three hours a week. For more wall fountain |
| if there are any ordinances that apply to the | | | | ideas check out |
| installation of water-fountain gardens. Get | | | | |
| more ideas on water fountains by visiting | | | | SHOULD you HIRE IT OUT? A SKILLS RANKING. |