Gardening Water gardens

Instant Floating Solar Fountain

Floating solar fountain. Photo: www.greenercountry.com

If you’ve always wanted a fountain in your garden, but figured you had neither the space nor the means, think again. There is a new generation of fountains running on integrated solar panels, therefore requiring no writing or electricity to install or hide. You can set yours up in just a minute and in any basin of water.

Three free-floating fountains in a water garden. Photo: smartsolarfountin.com

These fountains float on any source of water you want: a garden pool, a bird bath, even a bucket or basin of water you set on your deck. They come with changeable fountain heads for different spray heights and effects. Just set them in water on a sunny day and off they go. The better ones will work on cloudy days too!

Most come with an “anchor,” a sort of suction cup you with a cord so you can fix it to the bottom of your chosen basin and limit its movement. Otherwise, it will wander about as winds and currents push it. 

Splashing water attracts birds. Photo: www.nestneed.com

The sound of water splashing is a good way to attract birds to your garden, but just remember that birds need shallow water to bathe in, so you may want to add rocks to your basin so they’ll be able to take a shower.

And these fountains aren’t expensive. I’ve been seeing them in the $12 to $55 US range. The difference in price is often linked to whether the pump has a “battery backup” that will allow it to function on cloudy days and whether it has blocking and dry run protection (so it automatically turns off, thus preventing burn out, when the pump is blocked by a leaf or other debris or if the basin dries out).

Simple to install, simple to use. Photo: skytrendy.com

Are there any downsides to these fountains? Sure! They splash and splashing water is hard to control, especially in windy weather. So, don’t place yours near anything you want to keep dry.

Also, they will need sun and the more, the better. Don’t expect much of a show in shady areas!

Finally, keep that basin reasonably filled with water. The spraying effect means lots of water is lost to evaporation and has to be replaced. 

But an instant fountain you can actually afford: I think that’s pretty cool!

Look for one on Amazon and from other mail-order sources if not a local store specializing in water garden supplies.

And for those looking for information on rooftop solar, here’s a resource on the average cost of residential solar in your state.

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Garden writer and blogger, author of 65 gardening books, lecturer and communicator, the Laidback Gardener, Larry Hodgson, passed away in October 2022. Known for his great generosity, his thoroughness and his sense of humor, he reached several generations of amateur and professional gardeners over his 40-year career. Thanks to his son, Mathieu Hodgson, and a team of contributors, laidbackgardener.blog will continue its mission of demystifying gardening and making it more accessible to all.

6 comments on “Instant Floating Solar Fountain

  1. I am one of those who likes to approach the purchase of solar panels as carefully as possible for example. Because it really helps save the environment and plus it is very practical and convenient. Therefore, from myself I recommend here on the site to review the details and now there is no problem on the account, I can choose any solar panel from different manufacturers without any problems and markups. This is very cool.

  2. These things are rad. I have no use for fountains, so did not want to put a lot of work into installing one. These were a fair compromise. Because they are so inexpensive, I do not mind replacing them every few years.

  3. What a good idea! I have always wanted the sound of running water in my garden!

  4. Patricia Evans

    I got one for Christmas but haven’t set it up yet. I’m not very good about remembering to refill the bird bath, so it may not last long here.

  5. I have one, and it works quite well.

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