Old barrels make great fountains.
Wine or whiskey barrels can be used for all kinds of projects in your yard or garden. One of the most fun and satisfying of these is to create a fountain from one or more barrels. Make it as simple or as complicated as you like, but the result will be the same: You'll have the soothing sound of running water in your barrel fountain. Does this Spark an idea?
Single Half
Create a simple fountain by placing a fountain pump in the center of a half-barrel. It only requires the addition of some stones under the pump and a little imagination in placing a few plants around the barrel to create a quick and easy water feature for your yard. When plugged in, this type of fountain creates a small spray in the center of the barrel. If you've used a liner for your barrel, add some goldfish for color and insect control.
Multiple Barrels
Arrange two or more half-barrels in an offset stack so that the water from the top barrel flows from a spout or a hole into the next lower barrel and so on. The barrels are heavy, so give some consideration to how you will support the higher ones. Overlap them onto the edge of the lower ones to provide support on one side as well as to provide a natural path for the water. Drill a hole into the side of one or more of the upper barrels and let the water flow from that, or use a spout to let the water flow over the top of the barrel, dropping down waterfall-style. Decorate with large rocks, which can also be used for support. Use an inverted whole barrel to support the upper part of your fountain, or build against a small hill and let the hill support it.
Accessories
Put a gnome near your fountain.
Whether you are using a single half-barrel or several of them put together, have some fun with accessories to enhance the look you'd like to create. For an antique look, route the water from the barrel up through an old pump spout and let it come pouring from the spout into your barrel. Use unique items for the water to run over, such as a washboard, or use an interesting stone as a spillway leading from one barrel to the next. Decorate your fountain with flowers if it is in a sunny spot, or with ferns and ivy if it is in the shade. Use natural stones around the outside of the barrel to give it a finished look, or spice it up with garden gnomes and carved bears. Try adding just one or two accessories to start with. You can always add more later if you'd like to.
Tags: from barrel, your barrel, your fountain, from spout, hole into