The Solar Garden Fountain
Outdoor Water Features Make Ponds Beautiful
Still waters might run deep, but moving water attracts birds and makes a beautiful, musical sound in the garden. Solar water fountains are a sustainable and melodic way to add a new dimension to a garden pond.
Reasons to Add a Fountain to a Small Pond
Moving water is a good way to keep a pond healthy. As water runs down a water feature, oxygen is added. These bubbles are important for pond life like bugs and fish. Adding a fountain and moving the water also discourages mosquito larvae, who prefer quiet water for their home.
Wildlife Benefit from Moving Water in the Garden
A fountain of moving water is a good place for birds to congregate, splash in, or drink from while visiting the garden. If the fountain is heavily used by birds, be sure to clean it often, and place it in an open location so birds can see potential predators. Moving water can attract a surprising diversity of animals. For example, in many regions of North America, herons and raccoons are frequent visitors to ponds.
Why Use a Solar Fountain?
Those who are trying to save energy or who simply dislike having electrical cords in the garden will find a solar fountain to be a good fit. They are also easy to use. Most solar fountains have a solar panel discreetly installed on a portion of the fountain. To make energy collection more efficient, some fountains have a panel attached by a cord so that the panel can be located in the sunniest part of the garden.
Types of Solar Garden Fountains
Solar fountains come in a large variety of shapes, from whimsical to traditional. For those who would like to add a fun dynamic to an existing pond, a floating fountain might be a good choice. This fountain is often shaped like a lilypad and sprays water up from the pond. There are also themed water features: ceramic frogs and fish that spit water from their mouths into the pond. Solar fountains also come in the traditional tiered or cascading fountain arrangement. The water moves down terraces until it hits the base. These stone or concrete fountains can resemble a tiered bird bath.
Solar Fountain Kits
It is also possible to buy a solar kit to create a water feature at home. These involve a pump that is installed in the water and a cable that connects the pump to a solar panel, which collects the sunlight and turns it into energy to run the pump. Choosing a kit can be a lower-cost way to add moving water to the garden.
How to Choose A Garden Fountain
A water feature is only one element of the garden, so it must integrate well with the garden space. The size of the space is important. A large, terraced fountain might become the feature of a small patio or one element in a larger outdoor pond and waterfall system. Fountains can also be a way to continue or develop a garden theme. A fish pond may have a spouting fish as a water feature. A garden developed to attract wildlife might focus on creating areas for birds to bathe.
It is also important to consider the light levels in the garden. Some solar products must be installed where they receive hours of direct sunlight every day, or they will not run. If the fountain only needs to work in sunny weather, this may be fine, or the garden’s owner may need to relocate the fountain. Other products come with a cord so that the solar panel can be placed in the sun, even if the water feature itself is in the shade.
Moving water in the garden is a delight for both garden visitors and wildlife alike. By choosing a fountain that is well-situated and fits the garden, a solar water feature can be an environmentally-friendly way to add diversity to the garden pond.
Solar Garden Fountain
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