A Homemade Gravity-Fed Fountain and Landscaping

Insert a plastic hose or a length of plastic tubing into the pond, stream or other water source. Wrap a piece of wire mesh over the end of the hose in the water. This small screen will keep leaves and other debris from flowing into the tube. Slide a hose clamp onto the end of the tube to keep the screen in place.

Unwind the plastic hose or tube and carry it down the hill or sloped area of your lawn. The hose should be long enough to reach the bottom of the hill. Slip a plastic pipe clamp over the hose and gently tap it with a hammer until the clamp sinks into the ground and secures the hose in place. Attach a plastic clamp every 12 inches along the hose.

Install a fountain kit at the base of the hill. Drill a hole in the bottom of a planter as large in diameter as the pipe in the fountain kit. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the different components to make the basic fountain.

Attach a hose adapter to the hose at the base of the hill. Screw this end of the hose into the intake valve on the fountain. You should have two pieces that screw together. Return to the top of the hill and locate the opposite end of the hose.

Push the hose under the water source. There should be at least 6 inches of water above the hose. Insert a wooden stake into the water. Tie a piece of twine around the stake then tie it to the hose to keep it underwater. Cut off the excess twine with a pair of scissors. Gravity will force water into the hose, down the hill and into the fountain.