Upcycle a Broken Fountain

Quince_Cottage
by Quince_Cottage
1 Material
You kind of expect a fountain that cost a couple hundred scoots to last more than two years. Well, at least we did. When ours stopped working at the end of last summer it was hard to determine why. Was it the pump? Was it the solar panel? Was it the wiring? Then there was a storm...
Tragic aftermath of storm Rhiann Wynn-Nolet
But all was not lost. Why not take the remaining intact pieces and use it for a container garden? (We also used it in a unique way at Halloween, check the blog post for a photo of that).


The steps are so easy it doesn't need photo-documenting. Basically fill the bottom with a layer of gravel, to add both weight and drainage. Next add potting soil. Then plants and more soil, topped with a layer of mulch to retain moisture and keep the dirt from blowing out.


Ta-daaa! Done!
Rhiann Wynn-Nolet
Here's another pic...
This spot gets a mix of sun and shade so we used plants like Creeping Jenny that like this sort of condition.
Rhiann Wynn-Nolet
There's still the top bowl of the fountain that we might do something with too - like a succulent garden. How trendy would that be?


Here's that cute Jack Russell Terrier pic you were waiting for!
Sleepyheads Buster & Daisy Rhiann Wynn-Nolet
Quince Cottage Style is Agrarian Chic - a mix of old and new, rustic and opulent.


Our goal is to make our new subdivision house look inviting, beautiful,


and as though it wasn't born yesterday!
Suggested materials:
  • Fountain, Potting Soil, Gravel, Plants   (Lowe's)
Quince_Cottage
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 6 questions
  • The5808055 The5808055 on Apr 30, 2016
    How did you provide drain holes. I have a cement fountain It fills up with water during heavy rain and ruins what ever is try onyo grow
  • Genevieve Genevieve on Apr 30, 2016
    Do you think my husband could help me with this project? Two BINGOS, i mean dingos, are better than one. How rare to have 2 in one household. Lol. We are only useful as a pair. Did you get a free bucket and car wash when the storm came thru? I'm off topic and being nosey now, sorry. Let me know how your thoughts on asking for help. Sincerely, Xtremely septic
  • Nancy Jacobson Nancy Jacobson on May 02, 2016
    Is there holes in the bottom? I have a garden somewhat like this and it floods with water even when I have rocks and gravel filling the bottom.
Comments
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2 of 39 comments
  • Patty Patty on May 05, 2016
    Awe!!
  • Carey Carey on Aug 12, 2016
    I have a Petal design very old bird bath that was so shallow that I couldn't keep it filled with water, so it was always just filled with leaves. My husband on one of his clean up kicks, junked the pedestal while I had to top off trying to repair the broken petals (I picked it up at a yard sale- CHEAP!! many years ago. But I liked it so I have been trying for some time to come up wth a pedestal that will work. Meanwhile, it is sitting on a bucket and this year I decided to put some sedum in it. So a little soil and a few plants and it is looking very good. Now I just need to find something for a pedestal besides the bucket, but for now that is working well.
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