Tag Archives: water fountain

Weekend DIY: Backyard Water Feature

Garden Spaces, Outdoor Decor, Weekend DIY

Everyone is familiar with the tranquil environment that a waterfall and stream creates – it’s so peaceful, yet most people don’t have the luxury of enjoying one in their own backyard. However, that can change within just two weekends! Even though it may seem like a daunting task, perhaps you’ve decided to be adventurous and create a water feature in your backyard. Great! We’ve found some great step-by-step instructions that will help you achieve a great looking waterfall and stream with only a little bit of elbow grease.

Here are the supplies you’ll need: Level, Wheelbarrow, Rubber mallet, Spade, Utility knife, Large waterfall pump, Hose kit and connections, PVC primer and cement, Ball valve and clamps, Sewage basin (18” x 30”) and lid, Two hole saw bits (2” and 1”), EPDM pond liner, Underlayment fabric, Waterfall foam sealant, Gravel, Field boulders, Decorative boulders, Hand tamper, Scissors, and a Ball cart (for moving boulders).

Here are the simplified steps, but refer to The Family Handyman for the complete step-by-step DIY waterfall instructions. Step 1: Understand how waterfalls work in a backyard setting. Step 2: Plan out your waterfall. Step 3: Purchase the stone materials. Step 4: Map the waterfall and stream and dig. Step 5: Complete the lower basin. Step 6: Dig out or build a long staircase. Step 7: Arrange liner and layout the stones. Step 8: Add additional stones and fill gaps. Step 9: Add gravel and clean the system. Step 10: Enjoy!

Here are a few photos of the process:
easy backyard waterfall diy(Photo Source: The Family Handyman)

As additional inspiration, we’ve included some photos below from one of our very own team members. She has created many water features in others’ yards as well as her own! Here are a few of her tips to create your own backyard oasis:

If you build it into the ground and lay layers of thick weed barrier under the liner, it will last a lifetime. Shade is helpful in keeping algae at a minimum. You may also want to purchase an algaecide to help. Maintenance will be less than a flower bed! Dig the width of the stream wider than your finished desired width as rocks will fill it in a lot. Also, purchase a waterfall pump that is designed for the height & width of your design (its more than just gph).

create a water stream in your backyard
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Maybe you don’t have two weekends to create a waterfall, but still love the serenity one creates? Why not try a small water fountain in your backyard like this from Willard & May:

 

Happy Weekend!

Strawberry Planters & Other Uses

Gardening, Store

Not many things are more delicious than picking strawberries in the summer that you’ve grown from your very own strawberry planter! And while strawberry planters are great for growing strawberries, hence the name, there are many other creative ways to use them in your backyard…or even your kitchen. Why not take this summer to try out something new with your strawberry planter?

The original idea of using a strawberry planter was to be able to grow strawberries and avoid the problem of the fruit touching the ground, which can then cause rotting of the fruit or may give animals or pests a delicacy. Strawberry planters also allow people to grow this fruit in smaller spaces, helps with their shallow roots, and allows proper drainage. To learn how to properly use a strawberry planter for strawberries, read this article.

However, if you aren’t into growing strawberries or want to try something new, there are many other ways to use the planter to create unique container gardens, grow herbs and annuals, or even design a water fountain! Take a peek at some of the many ways you can utilize this unique planter.





(1.Pinterest 2. Pinterest 3. MyHomeIdeas 4. Pinterest 5. Pinterest)

One strawberry planter = thousands of uses! Willard & May’s online store is officially live and we have four different ceramic strawberry planters to use to get you started with your unique garden! One of the best features of the W&M strawberry planters is their over-sized planting pockets. Any of you who have used strawberry planters in the past know that one of the downfalls to this garden accessory is the excessive drying out of the plants planted in the pockets due to the small size. Not a problem with these guys! Check out all the options:

strawberry pots color

Also, if you are looking for strawberries or herb seeds, visit our friends at Holland Bulb Farms and they’ll get you growing! Happy Planting!