Showing posts with label DIY Garden Projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY Garden Projects. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

DIY Garden Water Fountain

DIY garden water fountain with Ups-A-Daisy planter insertsA water fountain can add interest and attract beneficial animals, birds and insects to any garden. Unfortunately, garden fountains are expensive and sometimes too heavy or too large to be kept on small patios and decks. But with two Ups-A-Daisy planter inserts you can convert two pots into a garden water fountain you can be proud of that will not only provide a soothing sound but one that can attract beneficial birds and insects to your garden paradise at a fraction of the cost of garden water fountains you've seen at the home improvement stores.

Supplies you'll need: Two Ups-A-Daisy planter inserts, potting soil, plants and a fountain pump you can find at your local home improvement store.

DIY garden water fountainOne of your pots should be larger than the other to act as your base. If your containers have drainage holes you can easily seal them with a bit of aquarium sealant. Place the larger pot on the bottom and place an Ups-A-Daisy planter insert in the middle of the pot.

The second and smaller of your two pots goes on top of the Ups-A-Daisy your just inserted. Thread your water pump through the second Ups-A-Daisy planter insert like in the image to the right. This is the pot that will hold the water make sure to seal this pot so that water doesn't drain down and out to the larger pot.


DIY garden water feature for decks and patiosOnce the water pump has been threaded through the Ups-A-Daisy planter insert it should sit on top of the Ups-A-Daisy planter insert like in the photo of the homemade water fountain to the right. You can click on the images of the water fountain to get a larger view. We have the bones of our DIY water fountain project and next well add the gravel, plants and water.






DIY garden water feature for patio garden with Ups-A-DaisyFill the top, and smaller pot which has been sealed, with either gravel or decorative stones. The stones not only hold the water pump in place but they mask your pump and affect the sound the water makes as it splashes. Add potting soil to the bottom pot so that the Ups-A-Daisy planter insert is covered with an inch of soil all around and then place your plants and fill around their root base. Make sure to fill the smaller pot with the pump inside before you turn on your pump.





DIY garden water fountain feature with Ups-A-Daisy planter insertsNow you can turn your pump on and enjoy your DIY garden water fountain that took you only moments to complete, didn't cost your an arm and a leg and can be moved and disassembled with ease. If you would like to add even more interest and plant variety to your water feature you can fill the smaller pot with water loving plants like papyrus, water hyacinth and lily pads.

Container Gardening Ups-A-Daisy Planter Inserts

Ups-A-Daisy container gardening inserts with soil and flowersStarting a container garden with the Ups-A-Daisy planter inserts is easy and is done in a few steps. A container garden is a great DIY garden project that can add interest and curb appeal to your home, garden, deck or patio and be completed in minutes with the Ups-A-Daisy planter inserts. Start by selecting the pot that best fits your garden or outdoor room decor. The container you choose for your potted garden can be made from fiberglass, terracotta or stone. Select a round and tapered pot with an opening of 12-24 inches. Since we'll be using less potting soil for this garden project don't skimp on the potting soil and buy the best potting mix that you can afford.


Measuring garden pot for Ups-A-Daisy planter insertsThe next step involves a simple measurement. About half-way down from the top of your top stretch a measuring tape and measure to the nearest inch. The measurement you get should fall between 10-18 inches. This number will represent the size of the Ups-A-Daisy planter insert you'll need for your pot.






Fitting Ups-A-Daisy planter inserts into garden potOnce you've arrived at the right size for your planter you can easily insert the Ups-A-Daisy planter insert into the pot by placing your fingers into the two larger drainage wholes that have been pre-drilled for your convenience. Press down gently to make sure you've got a snug fit and there aren't any gaps between the Ups-A-Daisy planter insert and the inside of your container.




adding soil to container garden pot, Garden DIYThe Ups-A-Daisy planter inserts come with drainage holes that allow for air to circulate and for water to drain properly. Very little soil will fall through the two larger drainage holes but if you'd like to lessen any soil loss in your potted container; cover the holes. You can cover the drainage holes with a piece of newspaper, cheesecloth or coffee filter. Add enough potting mix to cover the Ups-A-Daisy planter insert and stop at just about an inch from the rim of your pot.



Adding plants to container garden pot after inserting Ups-A-DaisyThe final step involves you planting your favorite plants and filling in the soil around the root balls and watering. The choice of plants you decide to plant in your container is up to you. The Ups-A-Daisy is not only good for annual and perennial plantings but can be used to create container gardens to grow your own food, potted topiaries & houseplants, tender bulb plantings and even a water feature for your garden. We'll show you a simple DIY project where you can create a fountain with the Ups-A-Daisy planter inserts that not only provides interest but can be used to grow plants and attract birds to your garden or outdoor living spaces. Remember since we didn't have to fill the entire pot with soil it is very easy to move your potted plants around on your deck or patio.