How To Make A Water Barrel For Garden Watering

Looking for water feature ideas and ways to add water into your garden? Here, we share 10 ideas, plus tips on how to maintain garden water features.

Introduce water to your garden and with it will come a little bit of magic. Wildlife – from pond skaters and dragonflies to newts and frogs – will soon appear as if from nowhere, and birdlife will proliferate. You might even wake up to find that a pair of passing ducks have settled in.

As water is one of the basic elements of life, it seems somehow to complete a garden, however large or small. A still pool can bring a sense of calm, especially if there is an open expanse of water that reflects a portion of the sky, while the gentle gurgle or splash of a flowing fountain can add a soothing distraction from unwelcome noise elsewhere.

10 water feature ideas for your garden

1. A pot

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Any watertight pot of a good size can be turned into a mini-pond. Surround it with lush planting to integrate it and add one or two aquatic plants to help keep the water algae-free.

2. A wildlife pond

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An informal wildlife pond calls for some clever camouflaging: it is essential to make the edges look as natural as possible and to disguise the butyl liner required to make it watertight. Use natural stone if you can and create a beach effect at one side with cobbles and/or small stones and gravel.

3. A solar water feature

Solar powered water features are both an energy efficient and eco-friendly option to consider when designing your garden. Solar water features draw power from sunlight via solar panels. These panels can either be on the fountain itself or can be separated from it using a cable. Separated solar panels allow you to put the water feature where you like, as long as the panels are in direct sunlight. Fountains with panels attached must be placed in the sunniest spot in your garden. Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells which convert the sun's energy into electricity.

Shop solar water features here or scroll to the bottom of this article to browse.

4. A large pot

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A large Chinese pot makes a self-contained pond in a partially sunny, sheltered spot, provided it is frostproof or at least fleeced when a freeze is expected. Dwarf water lilies are most suited to this size of pot – try white-flowered Nymphaea tetragona , yellow N. 'Pygmaea Helvola' or apricot-orange N. 'Aurora'.

5. A stream

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A stream is perhaps the ultimate water feature in a garden. If you are fortunate enough to have one, you can enhance it with carefully chosen planting along its margins. Vary the leaf shapes for contrast, using sword-like plants such as variegated Acorus gramineus and white or blue Iris laevigata and yellow I. pseudacarus, alongside glossy-leaved pickerel weed Pontederia cordata, which bears pale blue flower spikes.

6. Copper pipes

A trio of copper pipes, evenly spaced, can create a soothing splash as water pours into a slate-lined pool. Site where high winds won't blow the water off target and use a submersible pump to re-circulate the water.

7. A sink or bath

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A ceramic Belfast sink makes an excellent small pond. Position it to get good light but not full, all-day sunshine. Seal any drainage holes with silicone and provide a leg-up for wildlife with bricks, logs or a wooden ramp. An old bath can look just as good if you have a the space.

8. A half-barrel

A half-barrel is ideal where space is limited. Submerge its base, as the earth acts as insulation and makes it less likely to freeze in winter. Add marginal plants such as Iris laevigata and bulrush-like Typha minima in aquatic baskets.

9. A fountain mask

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A fountain mask above a stone trough or sink will give a relaxing trickle of water – especially welcome near a seating area. This lion's head has been garlanded with honeysuckle and clematis with a ruff of hostas in front.

10. Japanese gardens

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Japanese gardens are traditionally serene, with water an integral part of the calming design. Evoke a similar atmosphere by introducing a few Japanese features, such as cobbles, bamboo poles, a stone lantern and dipping bowl.

11. A raised pond

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A raised pond provides a still body of water that reflects both the sky and the planting around it. Here, the effect has been created using corten steel tanks. Starting out as blue steel, the material gradually weathers to this rich rust colour, forming a patina that protects against further corrosion.

Top tips for pond care

Install a pump (have it done professionally) to re-circulate water and provide a continuous flow
Experiment with water-flow rate to achieve a pleasing sound from a running tap or fountain
Net your pond before autumn leaves begin to fall to prevent them from clogging the water
Combat algae growth by floating a mesh bag of barley straw; remove when it turns black
Make your garden pond reflective with fish-safe dye such as Dyofix Pond Black or Blue
Top up the water level in dry weather using rainwater, if possible, collected in a butt

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14 solar water features for your garden

Dancing couple water feature

This romantic design for a solar powered water feature in easy to install and completely self-contained. Powered by solar, there is no plumbing required. The descriptions read: "Two solar panels recharge in direct sunlight to operate the low-voltage pump, which circulates water up from the bowl reservoir, down the pavilion roof and back into the bowl." This water feature will work best during spring and summer.

Smart Garden Genoa Cascade Fountain

This three-tier, solar powered fountain brings a rustic, oriental look to the garden. It's powered by a remote solar panel and is small and compact, making it perfect for placing in borders or on patios or balconies. This solar fountain constantly recycles the water in it.

Solar Ceramic Cascade Fountain Indoor

The description for this four-tiered solar powered water fountain reads: "Enhance the garden with a brush of charm and get the artistic Aibek Ceramic Cascade. A tiered design with a cascading function, it is crafted to constantly recycle the same water. The fountain is powered by a separate Aibek panel and low voltage water pump with a filter. It includes a submersible and recirculating pump."

Senders Solar Fountain Pump

Fancy designing your own solar water feature? This is the pump you'll need. Then you can design and add elements around it – just remember to keep the solar panels clear so they can trap the sunlight.

500LPH Floating Solar Water Feature

This solar water feature is powered by a separate solar panel on a 3m cable. Sunlight runs a low voltage water pump and the water is filtered. It comes with different fountain heads to create different effects.

Cascading Barrel Fountain

This 90cm x 41cm solar water feature is uniquely designed with four lotus leaves, a coy fish and a rotating water wheel, giving it a distinctive look. The water fountain is powered from a 2.5 metre cable and will attract lots of new wildlife to your garden.

Solar Bird Bath Fountain

This solar water feature is also a bird bath! Sit back and relax in your garden while watching birds splash around on a warm day. This water pump comes with four nozzles which allows you to choose fountain patterns. We love the blue mosaic tiles.

Tipping Pail Garden Water Feature

A more ornamental, sculptural design, this bronze effect fountain is powered by two wire-free, integrated solar panels. The fountain depicts two children pumping water out of a well and into a bucket.

Solar Water Feature Terracotta

Aqua Moda

This ceramic terracotta solar water feature comes complete with 2.5W solar panel and 200LPH pump. LED lights are included making it perfect for night-time use.

Gardenwize Solar Marble Water Feature

This is a sleek design for a water fountain which will add curves and style to your garden. It runs entirely on solar energy and has a solar on-demand back-up battery power source.

Gardenwize Solar Cascading Slate-Effect Water Feature

This cascading slate-effect water feature runs entirely on solar energy and has a solar on-demand back-up battery power source so you can still run it on overcast days. It also has an LED light that comes on at night.

Wishing Well Solar Water Fountain

This water feature has the option to operate in two ways: via electrics (during winter or on overcast days) or using a solar panel. The design mimics cobblestones for a rustic look.

Gardenwize Solar Cascading Water Feature with Rock Planter

The natural look of this solar water feature means it can blend in seamlessly into a border. It also has two small planter spaces to add foliage and colour to the fountain. It runs entirely on solar energy, with a solar on-demand back-up battery power source.

Table top water fountain

This popular table top water fountain is handmade from bamboo and coconut shell. It's right at the top of our wish list...

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