|
  |
|
|
Do you Really Need a Fountain in Your Garden.
By Chris Meagher
Most people desiring a fountain in their garden, are visualising the serene benefits of the natural ambience it offers. Indeed, being around some water scene, can imbue you with much positive energy, just living in a garden with a fountain, or water feature has a kind of meditative effect to it, whether you are aware of it, or not. Fountains are also beneficial to people into Thai-Chi, yoga, or meditation, the contiguous sound of the water being a needful constant, allowing them to more clearly focus on what they're doing. When you first decide to install a fountain, it would be advisable to put a lot of consideration into choosing one that will fit in with your garden's existing design. The same with any type of garden ornamentation, it must suit the general theme of the garden. Will the water feature you are thinking of:
-- look out of place in your garden? -- will it appear like it belongs there? -- how will you be able to return it if you don't like it? -- how are you going to get it home in the first place? -- are there building code restrictions for stand-alone structures? -- is there enough room where you want to put it? -- does it come in any colour other than white? -- will it attract ducks?
Changing your mind, after installation, may not be an option. Give some thought to the following: When you consider the weight of a fountain, generally made of cement, concrete, enormous boulders, or a combination of all three, removing it once it is in place, after having realised that it detracts from the general ambience of the garden - could be somewhat problematic. Indeed, let us not forget those monstrosities made of steel, where a crane may be the only way to get it in there to begin with. If the water feature you are so desperate to have installed includes a pond, again, take your time considering all aspects of the design, before finalising anything. If your dream design is largish and deeper than 12 inches, you may need a license to have it installed, and probably a child-proof fence surrounding the whole thing, as well. If you discover these things after feature has been constructed and installed, it will be too late to be talking about garden ambience. Another, most important aspect to be considering, when thinking about installing a fountain, would be - is there a power source nearby? Without power, the pump that supplies the water to the top of the fountain, enabling it to then cascade down, creating that serene musicality that fountains are famous for - will not eventuate. Sort of like a mute fountain, if you will. So, let us discuss the power situation. Strewing extension cords across your yard, is not only unattractive, but also down-right dangerous. Not only is this a cause for concern if you have children, but there is also the friends of your kids, the neighbors kids, lawn mowers, poorly slung shovels, puppies, and need we be reminded - careless adults. Draping leads through the overhanging branches, is not only tacky, but also dangerous during storms. AND it's all illegal. You are going to have to employ the services of a qualified electrician, who will bury the cable in a pipe. We are talking about electricity and water here, so, no mucking around. Sorry. All sounds terribly gloomy, doesn't it. Rest assured, if you are only looking for a medium sized fountain, water feature, or pond, these days there are available an endless variety of fibreglass designs, of many colours. Most are delivered complete with pumps and all necessary fittings. Some are set up to be modular, as in, as time goes on you may wish to add another "piece" of pond or fountain, to your creation. Most of the parts in these unit are interchangeable, also. You still must address how you are going to get power to the set up. Be safe. I hope this has given you something to think about, when deciding whether you really need a fountain in your garden, or not.
Mr Meagher has been a gardener and organic gardener for 45 years, permaculturist for 29 years. Further reading to be found at : Gardening Secret
|
|
 |
|
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
I think that fountains can indeed be cool looking. But there are fountains -- and there are fountains...
Great advise and a fine read, Chris. Here in the northeast, we also must consider draining the fountain in the winter.
Best to you.
Frederick
I think a fountain that has beer instead of water would fit my garden quite nicely.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Hey biblefreeorg, great idea. With refridgeration, please.
chris.
The copyright for this content entitled "Do you Really Need a Fountain in Your Garden." has been specified by the contributor as:
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Details 
This content may be copied, distributed, or modified as long as the original author is acknowledged with a link back to the content page.
If you use this content according to the license specified, you must link to the following URL:
http://chris587.qondio.com/
|
|
May, 2012
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
