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The sound of running water is soothing to the mind and the spirit. Bamboo fountains have always been placed outside Japanese shrines for worshippers to wash their hands before entering. A fountain in front of the house can help mask the sound of a noisy street, and makes a wonderful addition to any garden.
Materials:Submersible fountain pump with adjustable flow and 6" piece of ½" flexible tubing (see Notes)Half a whiskey barrel or a large glazed ceramic pot (see Notes) 1 rubber stopper (optional) One 2'3" piece of 1"- diameter bamboo pole Clear waterproof caulk Bricks (enough to hold fountain pump and pots in place) 2 terra cotta or glazed pots (optional) Glass mulch or decorative stones
Tools:5/8" ship auger bit (typically about 1' to 1'3" of drilling length)Bit the diameter of smaller bamboo pole, approximately ½" Paddle bit that matches exterior diameter of the 2'3" bamboo piece (see Notes) ¼" drill bit or a rat-tail file Miter saw or handsaw Utility knife
Notes: Select a pump that will power a fountain with a maximum height of 3'6". If you use a large glazed ceramic pot, choose one without a drainage hole, or plug the hole with a rubber stopper or caulk it closed. Some plants, such as water lilies, prefer to grow in calm water, while others, such as water irises, grow well in moving water. Be careful to choose plants that will not mind the movement a fountain creates. Bamboo is a natural material and its diameter varies. The paddle bit should have a diameter about 3/8" less than the diameter of the bamboo.
Directions:1. With a miter saw or handsaw, cut the 1'- diameter bamboo pole down to 27" to 30". The pole should be cut so that a node is close to one end. This end will become the top. The node will block the water from flowing out the top of the fountain. The other 2 nodes should be reachable from the bottom end of the bamboo with the ship auger bit. Drill out these 2 nodes with the ship auger bit.
2. Cut ½"- diameter bamboo pole to a 6" length. If there is any pulp inside the piece, use a ¼" drill bit or rat-tail file to remove the pulp so that water flow is not restricted. 3. Cut one end of the 6" piece at a 45-degree angle for the waterspout. 4. With bit the diameter of 6"bamboo, drill a hole into the side of the 1"-diameter pole that matches the outside diameter of the 6" piece of bamboo. The hole should be centered on the 1"-diameter bamboo and drilled perpendicular to the length of the 1" bamboo pole. 5. Slip the flat end of the 6" piece of bamboo into the hole. Use clear caulking to seal the hole. Set aside and allow to dry, following manufacturer's instructions. 6. Slip tubing into the bottom of the 1" bamboo pole as far as it will go. 7. Cut flexible tubing off with a utility knife, leaving ¼" protruding from the end of the bamboo pole. Slip the pump's adapter into the end of the tubing to join pole to pump. 8. Set the pole and pump into barrel or large ceramic pot (see Notes) and place bricks or gravel around the pump to hold it in place. 9. If you like, set empty terra cotta or glazed pots in the bottom of the container to serve as holders for potted water plants. This will make it easier to swap plants in and out of fountain as needed. 10. Cover the bottom of the container with bricks to raise the floor. Use glass mulch or decorative stones to cover the bricks, if desired. 11. Fill with water. Remember to set fountain in place first, as it will be difficult to move once filled with water. Oak barrels may leak when first filled, but eventually staves will swell and become watertight. 12. Plug the fountain into a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet. Adjust pump to create desired flow.
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