How to Create a Garden Waterfall
- 1). Dig a depression 1 inch shallower than the fountain basin and 2 to 4 inches wider. Ensure that the bottom of the depression is level and graded completely smooth. Backfill around the outside edges with soil, tamping into place as you go for complete contact with the sides of the basin. Set the four cinder blocks on their sides in the basin, an even distance from the sides and from each other.
- 2). Place the pump in a corner of the basin. Run the pump's power cord out of the basin toward the power source. Use the plumber's adhesive to connect the 3/4-inch plumbing joint to the pump's hose, and the other end of the joint to the PVC pipe. Allow it to dry overnight. Cut a 1-inch hole in the center of the plastic grate and the mesh. Cut a 1-foot square corner out of the grate to access the pump for maintenance.
- 3). Slide the grate down over the PVC pipe so that it stands up straight through the grate and the missing corner is over the pump. Put the corner you cut out of the grate in place so that it is supported on a cinder block. Slide the mesh over the PVC pipe as well. The grate and the mesh will help prevent rocks and debris from falling into your basin.
- 4). Arrange the boulders and stones around the PVC pipe. This not only supports the pipe, but is also the waterfall. If you use stones and boulders, remember to use the largest stones as your sturdy base. The cinder blocks under the grate will support your waterfall. If you are using paver stones, you can make a more geometrical waterfall. For example, you can arrange the stones in a spiral staircase all around the pipe.
- 5). Build a kind of "house" or "bridge" over the top of the pipe, so that when the pump sends water up through the top, it is redirected sideways or down in the direction you want the water to go. Most of all, you want the pipe to be hidden so that the waterfall looks more natural.
- 6). Fill your basin with water, plug in the pump, and check the flow of water. Make adjustments to get the water to go in the direction you want. Decorate the rest of the waterfall area with the washed river stone, extending it beyond the edges of the basin so that there is no noticeable seam and the waterfall blends with the rest of your garden. Refill the basin with water whenever the water flow slows.
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