Water in the garden.

[smallblueplanet]

As has already been mentioned on here, one of the best ways to attract wildlife into the garden is water.

So I'd like to make a wall-mounted water feature - here's the bits I have so far:

- the wall

- the gargoyle water spout

Oh and a small(ish) pump that I think still works.

Any ideas about the best way to combine them, and what could I use as a water reservoir?

[Paul Wagland]

The tricky bit is hiding the pipe (from the pump to the spout). Can you go up inside or behind the wall? If not maybe you could make a feature of it, use some old green copper pipe?

As for reservoir... anything watertight will do, not too shallow as you need to contain the splashes (or the pump will run dry as the water disappears). An old butler sink would be ok - but I'm sure the grapes can be more creative!

[smallblueplanet]

The tricky bit is hiding the pipe (from the pump to the spout). Can you go up inside or behind the wall? If not maybe you could make a feature of it, use some old green copper pipe?

Can't go behind the wall without annoying the neighbours! The idea of green copper pipe is fine, but how high or low should the spout be? Also the spouts pretty heavy (if not pretty - I think I may be having second thoughts on it!) so would need some solid support.

[Paul Wagland]

how high or low should the spout be

This depends partly on the rate of water flow (ie the power of the pump) - if it's fast you'll get lots of splashing so the spout should be lower. I would experiment when you do the installation. Remember that any breeze will increase the rate of water loss, through increased splashing and evaporation.

Generally speaking it doesn't need to be high though - you'll still get a lovely sound from a spout just 10 or 20cm above the reservoir.

Also the spouts pretty heavy (if not pretty - I think I may be having second thoughts on it!) so would need some solid support.

Are there any fixing points (like screw holes) on the back? Or would it need to be supported on top of something? In my view the simpler the better, but that's completely subjective of course.

[smallblueplanet]

Are there any fixing points (like screw holes) on the back? Or would it need to be supported on top of something? In my view the simpler the better, but that's completely subjective of course.

Yeah there's two 'hooks' inserted into the material when it was cast, its just I don't trust them to hold the weight, it is really heavy. I think I might try some sort of (on brackets) short shelf arrangement with a hole at the back for the pipe.

I think maybe I'll look for a sink or some such, as a reservoir, depending on price. Might also make it fairly low to the ground and train some greenery above it. Then it could grow and cover the shelf if I put some trellis-work around it, after moving the first fan trellis. Perhaps you can tell last year I discovered roofing battens!

[Paul Wagland]

Yeah there's two 'hooks' inserted into the material when it was cast, its just I don't trust them to hold the weight, it is really heavy.

Yes - I'd worry about the strength of the wall as much as the material of the spout itself. Better to spread the load over more than just those two points.

Sounds really good - let me know how you get on!

[smallblueplanet]

Will do - when I need help no doubt! I'm determined to get it up and running this year.

Did you check out the lovely garden stoneware on the Redwood Stone link? Maybe they'll have something in their 'factory shop' outlet. I hope so.

[SarzWix]

That gargoyle is lovely SBP
My 'water feature' is an old tin bath I got for £15 from a 'collectibles' shop. It has a flag iris in a basket which takes up half the space, and an arum lily in a biggish terracotta pot standing on a brick. The birds love it, and queue up on the handles to drink or splash in the water I also have an old dolly tub, which I'm hoping to put a dwarf water-lily in, but have to be careful with it as it's so deep - it has a bit of old fire-guard over it at the mo to stop any widlife from drowning in it
I can't find a picture of it at the mo., I'll try & take one when the weather improves a bit!!

We'll definately be putting a pond in at the allotment this year. I've got a perfect spot for it, a corner near some bramble, long grass & a stone wall and shady from about midday. Just got to dig the hole...!

[smallblueplanet]

Oh yes please find a picture sarzwix.

If you visit Norfolk the gargoyle was from here - there used to be lots to buy online but the website has changed and there's very little now.

[SarzWix]

Ooh, loving the 'North Walsham Lion' ! Very Aslan
I wish I had a wall I could put one on, but it's all hedge & fence in my back garden

[smallblueplanet]

Ooh, loving the 'North Walsham Lion' ! Very Aslan
I wish I had a wall I could put one on, but it's all hedge & fence in my back garden

How about two 4"x4" wooden posts and a bit of trellising between them, hang Aslan on the trellis?

[SarzWix]

Oh, don't tempt me...! My bank card is already melting a little round the edges
Still, not long to my birthday

[smallblueplanet]

Well this never happened last year...maybe this year I'll get around to attempting to put one together and power it up.

Still wondering what to use for a reservoir at the base though...

[SarzWix]

Will the reservoir be in full view? If so, have you got an architectural salvage yard anywhere near you? Might be worth a mooch round to see if anything catches your eye. Our local antique shop has a bit round the back with garden ornaments, stone troughs, tin baths, and all sorts of other useful stuff, but his prices are a bit OTT

If you can dig into the ground, you could do it like a pebble pond - put a small pond in, put pump in the bottom, put mesh over the top and cover it in large pebbles? Hozelock do a ready made pond with cover flap thingies to make it easier.