Fountains of Refreshment

When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your senses to keep cool. Sight and sound have amazing psychological effects, even when the thermometer soars.

One of the most cooling and relaxing sounds I know is that of a trickling spring. It relaxes my mind and helps my body unwind. In the city, it can drown out the sounds of the daily hustle and bustle of life, calming and refreshing the spirit. I also love the glinting, reflective surface of water. You can have the soothing coolness of water without a huge space so why not recreate this in your outdoor living area?

Some small water features have still water and aquatic plants but with the fight to remove stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed, many people now prefer items with moving water.

The most popular "moving water" items are tabletop fountains, statuary fountains and spitting creatures. All rely on a pump to circulate water through the feature. The water is pumped up through plastic tubing and released into the fountain, returning to the bottom where it is pumped up the tubing again. Most pumps run on an electrical connection but some smaller tabletop fountains have batteries. There are also solar units available that require no electrical hook-up.

Simple or elaborate, all fountain features have the following elements:

• a "bottom" where the pump where will be located and the water returns. This can be a large pot, an urn, a trough and so on.

• a "top" from which the water will emerge. This can be a small pot, a fanciful creature such as a frog, a conch shell, etc.

• a "middle" ? the water course which will receive the water from the top and return it to the bottom. This can be pots, pebbles, shells, marbles, or even empty space, creating a freefall.

• a pump. Give crucial attention to two features of the pump: maximum gallons per hour (gph) and maximum lift.

The gph can vary from 35 gph for a small battery-operated tabletop unit to over 600 gph for large garden fountains. Choose one appropriate to the size of your water feature ? more is not necessarily better. A low gph will give you a gurgling effect in the same fountain that a higher gph pump would provide a steady stream ? or even splash. It's strictly a personal preference within the range recommended for the fountain size.

The maximum lift figure tells you how high you can expect your "little pump that could" to push the water. A small pump that has a lift of "up to 2 feet", for example would not be appropriate for your 3-foot wall mounted lion's head.

You will also want to consider the length of the electrical cord if applicable, and whether the unit has an on/off switch, if that's important to you. Remember, though, that water left sitting will stagnate.

If you are making your own fountain, the pump is the most important part. Pump kits are available that include pump and tubing but tubing is quite inexpensive (about 60¢ per foot) and can be purchased at most garden centers.

You can make a fountain from something as simple as terracotta pots and pebbles. For instructions, visit www.paradiseporch.com/fountain.php

So soothe your senses with the calming sounds of moving water and keep cool in your outdoor space!

About The Author

Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Visit her on the web at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on "Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space". Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com

---

Caring For Tropical And Exotic Flowers

Tropical flowers make an exciting change from the more traditional... Read More

Hills and Holes: Not Part of Your Landscaping Design?

Do pests 'gopher' your lawn? Chances are, if you have... Read More

Blue Wild Flowers for Your Garden

Planting wild flowers in your garden, or simply scattering wild... Read More

Park Benches - Making the Right Choice

When most people hear the words, "park bench", they envision... Read More

About Window Ledge Gardening

The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges... Read More

Invite Spring Early - Grow in Your Basement

Now's the time to get ready to grow your own... Read More

A Teak Bench: The Perfect Complement To Any Outdoor Space

Are you searching for that perfect bench to set off... Read More

Teak Furniture - A Cut Above The Rest

As you shop around for outdoor furniture, you will notice... Read More

Flowers and Butterflies, the Perfect Combination!

Spring is coming fast and with it the colors of... Read More

Cozy Nooks: Creating a Secret Outdoor Place

Everyone seems to love a secret -- and when the... Read More

Durable Wooden Swing - Decorate Your Outdoors with One

There is nothing better to do on a hot, lazy... Read More

Closing Up Your Container Garden

All good things eventually come to an end and so... Read More

When to Plant Vegetaibles

Planting times for vegetables and other annual plants vary from... Read More

Growing Your Own Herbs for Tea

If you love herbal teas, as I do, you know... Read More

How to Control Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is found throughout southern Canada and most of... Read More

Make Your Fresh Cut Roses Last Longer!

Women adore getting flowers, most especially roses, as it is... Read More

Homemade Hummingbird Nectar

HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR RECIPEWe love hummingbirds and love to watch them... Read More

How to Build a Shed

The easiest way to build a shed in the backyard... Read More

Decorate Your Outdoor Spaces on a Budget!

Many times when the weather becomes sultry, the only place... Read More

Five Tips For Garden Sanctuaries

The design of your garden has an amazing affect on... Read More

What is Compost Tea?

Organic gardeners all know compost is fantastic stuff. But now,... Read More

Early Spring Garden Guide: What To Do In The Yard And Garden Now

Can't wait to get back to the garden? Use this... Read More

Herbs: Growing Your Own

The first thing you need to do when deciding to... Read More

How To Build A Waterfall

The number one, most asked question that I receive about... Read More

Introducting KOI-Cam!

This is a project I've had on the back burner... Read More

How To Mow A Lawn

Although push lawn mowers are wonderful machines that do a... Read More

How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden

The flittering of the butterfly through your garden is no... Read More

Growing Tomatoes Organically

Tomato Seeds Vs. Tomato Seedlings?Whether you start your own tomato... Read More

Wildflower Seeds - Ten Reasons Why You Should Plant...

Native wildflowers are those that were growing naturally in the... Read More

Sunflowers

Hi there,I am Jhon Saunders and recently took up gardening... Read More

Patio Design and Patio Furniture - The Use of Focal Points

A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More

Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles

Principles refer to standards or prescriptions for working with or... Read More

How to Install a Liner Pond

Liner ponds are ideal for the experienced water gardener because... Read More