Build a Wine Barrel Fountain for the Garden

Fountains and water gardens provide beauty and relaxation to a backyard scene. Instead of digging in ground ponds or purchasing pre-fabricated fountain basins that cost hundreds of dollars, consider building a wine barrel fountain for your garden. Crafted from a wooden barrel, this type of fountain brings a touch of old-wold charm to your landscaping.

Wine Barrel Fountain - Materials Needed

To build a wine barrel fountain you will, of course, need a wine barrel. Many home and garden centers, and barrel distributors you can find online, sell half barrels that are pre-cut and capped with metal. A half barrel is ideal for this garden project.

Also purchase a wine barrel liner, plastic, of the appropriate size. This is unnecessary if you are sure the barrel is water-tight, though it can help prevent leaks and evaporation. You also need a small, submersible fountain pump and all necessary attachments. Flat stones or bricks are also useful.

Wine Barrel Fountain - Building It

Build your wine barrel fountain in the position you intend to keep it. The finished project is quite heavy and difficult to move. This location should be level and close to an electrical outlet. Place the half barrel on the ground, deck, or patio and slip the barrel liner inside.

Position the submersible fountain pump at the center bottom of the barrel. Attach a rigid tube pointing straight upwards with the fountainhead at the top. The water intake opening should be covered by a filter of some sort. These usually come with purchased water pumps.

If the water pump is too low in the half barrel container, or if it needs to be propped up straight, position flat rocks, paving stones, or bricks in the bottom of the barrel. These can also help keep the rigid tube pointing directly upward.

Wine Barrel Fountain - Completing the Project

Once the water garden pump is in place, attach the fountain head you purchased to the top of the rigid tube. Be sure this head will produce a fountain of water that will fall into the wine barrel container and not spray out of it. The shape of the water fountain - umbrella, upright, or bubbler - depends on your personal taste.

Fill the wine barrel container with water from your garden hose. Wait a few minutes for the water to work its way into the submersible pump. A few air bubbles should rise to the surface. Then, plug in the fountain's electrical cord and sit back to enjoy your new wine barrel fountain for the garden.