Beginner Water Feature for Garden
I’ve wanted to add a water feature to my garden area for a long time but didn’t want to spend any money on it. I inherited a pump from my parents a few years ago but couldn’t quite get it to work right with the pots and buckets I have. But recently, I got it all working and am excited to share this beginner water feature for your garden. Gather 3 pots, a water pump, and some rocks and you are ready to get started.
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Beginner Water Feature for Garden
Materials
- Water Pump
- 1 large bucket with no holes
- 1 smaller bucket with 1 hole in the bottom
- Drill with paddle bit (optional)
- 1 small bucket with 1 hole in the bottom and multiple holes in the sides
- Rocks for accent & decorations (optional)
Directions
Creating a water feature is a very simple project but it took me a long time to figure out how simple it is. Hopefully, these directions will make it easy for you to create this season.
Look for your buckets and get them ready. I used two galvanized buckets from My Evergreen but you can use any pots or buckets you have. As long as one is larger than the other.
Use a drill and paddle bit to make a small hole in the smaller bucket if there is not already one there. It doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as your pump handle will fit through the hole. If your insert bucket doesn’t have holes, then drill holes in that one as well.

- Turn the small pot with holes upside down in the large pot and hide the pump underneath.
- Set the smaller pot on top and slide the pump through the hole.

- Now is a good time to test the pump and the process. Use a water hose or containers of water to fill the bottom bucket.
( I save milk jugs and refill them for simple gardening projects since I don’t have a water hose close to where I’m working.) - Turn on your pump and see if the height of the fountain is where you want it.


There’s no right or wrong way to decorate your water feature. I just filled in both buckets with creek rock till I got the look I was aiming for. My top bucket is leaning over a bit but I’m ok with that for now. I may readjust the rocks later and make it more even.

I invited a small bumblebee to hang on to the side of the bucket and added a couple of the button garden stakes for an additional pop of color.

Now I am ready to move to the next garden bed and start working there. I know I have to be patient a few more weeks before I plant the flower seeds that I have in mind for this area but for now, I’ll enjoy the water bubbling while I work and the cheery pansies set around in pots.
