Make a fountain for a miniature fairy garden that really works. I’ll show you the supplies needed and how to set it up.
There are more ideas here in the Fairy and Miniature Gardening department.
Fairy Garden Fountain Secrets
Would you like to add a water fountain to your fairy garden?
The fountain you see here is made with a toy watering can, a small fountain pump, a mini garden bench, and a few household supplies.
When the pump is on, a soft trickle of water flows continuously from the watering can into a container hidden under the stones.
You can use the same basic setup to create any little fountain you like.
I will show you the supplies needed and how it works.
Supplies & Tools
The products shown here are listed to give you the basic idea of what is needed. They may not be the right size for your project.
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- (1) Mini fountain pump | Choose a pump with a ‘head rating’ (H- max) of approximately 12 inches (or whatever length you will need to connect the pump to the watering can) and a flow adjustment dial. If it is not included with your pump, you will also need approximately 12-15 inches of fountain pump hose. Check which size your fountain pump requires. Often it is ½”-diameter hose.
- (1) Toy watering can | Choose a size that looks right in proportion to the garden bench and be sure it has a working spout.
- (5) Cable ties to secure the hose to the watering can.
- (1) Toy garden bench | Check thrift shops in the toy section.
- (1) Plastic shoebox with lid
- Wire mesh or lead-free hardware cloth, same size as the shoebox lid (optional).
- Stones to cover shoebox lid.
- Ivy (plastic) to hide water hose. Check at a dollar store.
- Electric drill and ¾” drill bit (for drilling holes in lid of plastic shoebox).
- Fairy garden décor
- Access to an outdoor electrical outlet to power the fountain pump.
How It Works
The fountain pump is placed in a plastic shoebox, which acts as the water reservoir. You must read the instructions and warning labels before ever operating the pump and never handle it while the power is on.
The water hose is connected to the fountain pump and secured to the watering can with cable ties.
The water goes through the pump, up the water hose, into the watering can, and out the spout, back into the shoebox.
Setting Up Your Fountain
Drill Holes in the Shoebox Lid
Drill holes in the lid of the shoebox to allow the return water to drip back down to the pump.
Make two larger holes at each end of the lid for the electrical cord and water hose.
Test How It Works First
Before setting up the fountain in your fairy garden, be sure to test that it works properly with the right amount of water flow.
The end of the water hose should be right inside the watering can to prevent the water from spilling over the top.
The watering can spout should be positioned beyond the edge of the bench so that all the water flows out of the spout into the shoebox below.
Adjustments
If the watering can is overflowing, turn the dial down on the pump to reduce the flow.
If the flow is too light, turn the dial up on the pump or shorten the hose, if possible.
When everything is working nicely, use cable ties to secure the water hose and watering can in place.
Hide the Pump
Dig a hole slightly larger than the shoebox, allowing the lip of the shoebox to remain about ½” higher than the surrounding ground.
Fill in the dirt around the box so it is securely in place.
A piece of wire mesh or metal hardware cloth on top of the lid will help keep debris out of the water.
Again, test the fountain setup with water before setting the stones and accessories in place.
When the fountain is working nicely, add stones to cover the shoebox lid and any fairy garden décor you like.
Hide the water hose and cable ties with plastic ivy.
And that is it!
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
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