Tim Matcham Garden Design

Adding Solar Fountains to the Garden

A beautiful garden is a place to marvel at nature, relax the mind, and entertain with family and friends. It’s a chance to show off all the hard work you’ve done, choosing just the right plants and creating the perfect arrangement to display them. But what if you’re looking to add a little something extra to your garden? Where do you turn? One of the best, most eco-friendly ways you can do that is by adding a solar fountain to your garden. Here are some things to consider when purchasing one.

Location

• The first thing to consider when putting a solar fountain in your garden is the location. Not for the size of the fountain, but for the amount of sunlight it can get. Generally, all solar fountains operate with a solar panel either inside the basin facing up or outside the fountain on the ground next to it. In either case, you need a location where your fountain will be in complete sunlight all day long so it can run optimally. Avoid areas with trees or overgrown greenery that might hang over or even drop into the fountain and block the solar panel. If your panel sits outside your fountain, try and place it at least 1 foot away from any plants to avoid them from blocking sun getting to the panel.

Style

• After you’ve picked a location, you need to consider the style of fountain you want. Solar fountains come in many designs, so it’s not too hard to find one that will mesh with the theme of your garden. If you’re looking to attract birds and some of nature’s other creatures, a solar birdbath is a great choice. They provide a spot for bird stop and play, rest, and get a drink in their busy days. For something a little fancier, you can go with a tiered fountain. These have classic designs that let you enjoy the sound of running water all day long. And if you have a small garden and are looking for something compact, there are even tabletop solar fountains that can fit right in the corner of a flower bed.

Backup Power

• A backup power source is something a lot of people don’t think of with solar fountains. They think that they just get to enjoy the running water during the day and that it has to sit at night. While that used to be the case, it’s not anymore. Today, there are backup batteries that you can use with your solar fountain that store the sun’s power to keep your fountain going when it’s cloudy or at night. Many fountains now include these as a standard feature, but if yours doesn’t, don’t worry. You can easily find one at any fountain retailer and install it on your fountain in no time. They really are a great investment and will give you that much more enjoyment from your fountain.

If you’ve been contemplating adding a little something extra to your garden, look into some solar fountains. They’re good for the environment and good for enhancing the outdoor space. Use these tips and you’ll find a great fountain for your garden in no time!

About The Author – Marissa Alan is a writer with Outdoor Living and enjoys green living, cooking, and playing with her dogs. For more on products like solar garden fountains, decorative planters, bird baths, and glass wind chimes, visit OutdoorLiving.com.

Tags:   Bath · benefit · Chippenham · imagination · low maintenance · reduced carbon · sunshine · Wiltshire1 Comment