Three-Tier Outdoor Fountain To make your fountain the focal point of the patio, a tiered model is ideal. Here, the Spanish-style patio is focused on the white marble fountain. Potted ferns and hydrangeas give the area life and soften the formal symmetry of the patio. With a tiered fountain, water softly flows downward, making a soothing sound.
Concrete Fountain to Withstand the Elements Fountains made from concrete, such as this tiered variety, easily withstand the elements and can be found in a plethora of sizes to ensure that it will fit in your landscape.
Reference:"Outdoor Fountain Ideas." Better Homes & Gardens. HBGH.cm, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. <http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/water-gardens/outdoor-fountain-ideas/>.
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"Choosing the Right Outdoor Garden Fountain for Your Yard" "There's nothing quite like the captivating sights and peaceful sounds of an outdoor garden fountain, so it should come as no surprise that a moving water feature is one of the most popular additions to backyard gardens. Fountains add the exquisite beauty of moving water and a touch of tranquility to our yards and our lives.Who among us doesn't love to watch jets of water leaping into the air and splashing back into the fountain? And the trickle of water cascading down an outdoor garden fountain is a relaxing sound that soothes frazzled nerves and takes us far away from the hustle and bustle of busy lives.
Years ago an outdoor garden fountain was a sign of prestige and status, and only the most luxurious homes had them. Now, there's such a diverse range of fountains in sizes and prices to any budget, that it's easy to add one to your existing pond or yard. From small spouting frogs to great gushing lions to Greco-Roman-inspired sculptures, there is a garden fountain that is sure to delight your family, friends and neighbors. But before you buy a fountain, you should decide what type of feature you want (spray, trickle, bubbling or cascading water, etc.) taking into consideration the size of your yard and/or pond as well as your budget. Fountains are made from many different materials in a wide variety of prices and weights, including concrete, terracotta, millstones, carved or cast stone and realistic, lightweight glassfibre or faux-stone. No matter which type of outdoor garden fountain you choose, it's wise to find out exactly how frost-resistant the material is before you buy it. Ice may fracture certain materials, particularly fountain bowls. Here are just a few of the many outdoor fountain styles available: Free Standing Fountains require no pond to stand in, as the lower bowl acts as a reservoir from which water is pumped back to the top by a submersible pump. Playful cherubs, ethereal angels, mermaids, goddesses, and children are some of the favorite designs in free-standing fountains. These fountains are usually very easy to install, and most come with a built-in pump. Fountain Jets spray streams of water up from the pond in many fascinating patterns, and typically can be adjusted to different heights and shapes. These vary from small bubble jets to energetic sprays that can shoot several feet into the air. Wall Mounted Fountains: if you long for the tranquil sounds of splashing water but have a postage-stamp size yard, a flat-back style fountain is a good choice. They can take up less space than a full-round fountain but still add a graceful touch to a small garden. They're usually made of lightweight resin and attach easily to a wall or fence without complicated hardware. One of the most popular in this category is the Lionhead Wall Fountain. Mount this stately feline on any wall to recreate the ambience and elegance of an ancient Greco-Roman sanctuary. Another great choice is the inspiring angel and child fountain, also with Greco-Roman style elements that echo a time long past. Solar Island Fountains: enjoy the sight and sound of moving water without the hassle of wiring or special plumbing. The filter and pump are powered by sunlight and produce a spray of water that can be several feet high on bright, sunny days. Bronze Fountains are less widely available and more expensive than most other materials, but they lend distinctive character to your outdoor garden. Artificial Rock Waterfalls: these beautiful fiberglass "falls" look very real, and range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Some are designed to cascade directly into your pond or pool. Rock Bubblers and Boulders: these lightweight, durable artificial rocks are not a traditional outdoor garden fountain, but they are an inexpensive way to add a moving water feature to your garden, and come in many sizes. Enjoy your fountain!" (Williams, Julia, 2005). Reference: Williams, Julia. "Choosing the Right Outdoor Garden Fountain for Your Yard." Yahoo Contributor Network. Yahoo Voices, 15 Dec. 2005. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://voices.yahoo.com/choosing-right-outdoor-garden-fountain-your-11600.html?cat=32>. I had the privilege of taking a once in a lifetime trip to the Amazon Jungle of Brazil only a few short weeks ago. I was on a quest to accomplish three things: find new inspiration and passion for my line of work, network with the locals and soak in as much of the environment as possible. I found so much beauty in their natural resources and decided to share a few snapshots of my experience below. Finding new inspiration and passion was easy because of the abundance of small businesses compacted into such a small town. It seemed as if most people had a skill or a trade ready to serve upon request. In fact, it was difficult not to be approached by someone selling something. Everywhere I turned was a business man or women with their product in hand. Sometimes their store was as small as a shoebox but this didn't seem to have any effect on how they took pride in selling their merchandise. They sold anything from meat kabobs, pastries, water, perfume, jewelry and my list could go on. I saw a people who were hungry to sell whatever they had on hand even if that meant standing outside their storefront with a microphone in hand yelling out their promotions to people walking by. I stopped into a few stores that caught my attention and had meaningful conversations with the owners. Everyone I spoke with was so polite and was willing to answer any questions I had. Needless to say, I was able to build a network of business relationships and walk away with great ideas. After my time in Brazil came to an end, I was confidently traveling home with a new vision and drive of what I wanted to see for Bakana Gardens & Gifts in 2014. Brazil was stunning and beautiful and I would highly encourage anyone needing a breath of fresh air to take time to travel there. The vegetation and landscape was breathtaking and it was worthwhile traveling for 24 hours. I don't think the locals realize how gorgeous their natural environment truly was. If you can just imagine a sea of illuminating bright green trees with a river that winds for miles and an abundance of tropical fruit, then you can begin to imagine this place of paradise. The Amazon Rain Forrest was the perfect place to escape before having to buckle down and give it all I've got in 2014. I have a fresh perspective and strong winds in my sails that will lead to improving your experience with Bakana Gardens & Gifts. Expect high quality merchandise, prompt service with a genuine positive attitude every time you visit us. In conclusion, I pray this 2014 year brings you and your family great success and every project you set out to accomplish this year will abundantly prosper. On behalf of Bakana Gardens & Gifts, we look forward to continuing serving you, your family and our community this year. (225) 647-7705 I traveled over 24 hours between planes, taxis and boats to arrive at my final destination. Employees selling merchandise on the street Bakana Gardens & Gifts in South AfricaThe holiday season is here and it is time to pull out the decorations I have been eagerly waiting to admire all over again. I begin to think about the word "giving" and how it makes other feels when i put this word into action. In September one of Bakana Gardens & Gifts employee, Anna, had the opportunity to take a 24 hour flight across the world to bring encouragement and to give a helping hand to the South African community. During this trip, Anna had the opportunity to speak at a University, visit an orphanage and participate in a live conference.
Winter is right around the corner and now is the time to begin thinking about what to do with your fountain for the shivering cold months ahead. I have been asked this question before and I am sure others may be wondering the same thing. According to our manufactures, it is not recommended to run your fountain during freezing temperatures for the following reasons. As the water in your fountain becomes frozen, your pump will have to work extremely hard to continue the proper water flow. This places extra strain on your pump's work load and can prematurely shorten the lifespan from your pump by running it. Depending on how small or large your fountain is, the water in your fountain may freeze and become solid ice which will cause the components in your fountain pump to halt water production altogether. The Concrete Lady states "We do not recommend that you cover your concrete statuary (or fountains). As long as you drain any bowls or places water may stand it should be ok. If you must cover your concrete statuary, use a breathable fabric like a canvas tarp. DO NOT cover it with plastic. Plastic acts like a greenhouse, it causes the concrete statuary to sweat during the day and freeze at night. The constant freeze and thaw will deteriorate your concrete statuary over time". The Concrete Lady continues by stating "Most of our fountains have a drain hole. Pull the plug that you pump electrical cord feeds through so the water can drain. Clean out any remaining debris from the drain holes. It is always good to check before a hard freeze to make sure the drain hole is clear. If your fountain does not have a drain hole, you can flip the bowl over and leave it leaning against the pedestal or drill a small hole with a masonry bit for drainage. The most important thing is not to let water freeze in your bowls". In conclusion, it is better to wait for the warmer months to run your garden fountain. If is better on your cast stone as well as your pump. If you have any suggestions or comments, we would love to hear from you. Please post a comment or send us a private message at bakanagardens@gmail.com Thank you for visiting Bakana Gardens & Gifts. We look forward for an opportunity to serve you.
-Bakana Gardens & Gifts Team Reference: Lady, T. C. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from http://www.theconcretelady.com/frequently-asked-questions/ Here are a few free tips that may help troubleshoot your fountain pump problem.
Check: 1) Make sure your fountain is plugged in and the breaker is on. New homes have a safety on their outdoor outlet (even if it has a plastic cover) that will automatically shut off if moisture gets inside. (After a hard rain, scheduled sprinklers, or over splash from your fountain and etc.) 2.) Plug in a hair dryer at the your fountain outlet to be sure you are receiving electricity. 3.) Have you cleaned your fountain lately? Leaves, grass and other debris may be clogging up your pump. Remove all of your old water and use a light bristle brush to scrub the tiers gently. Brush the filter /screen and use your water hose pressure to spray the pump clean. Rinse thoroughly and add new water. 4.) Make sure your fountain has proper water level. Fountain pumps may burn out quickly if your fountain does not maintain adequate water levels. 5.) When the fountain is plugged in, listen closely for humming sounds. Can you hear your pump running at all or is it silent? 6.) If you do hear a sound, look inside the top finial piece to be sure insects such as dirt daubers have not made a nest in the tubing. You may use a wire hanger and work gently down the center by pushing the wire in slowly. If the tubing is clean, check for kinks in the hose. 7.) If none of these steps work, your fountain pump may be out and will need to be replaces call us at Bakana Gardens & Gifts at (225) 647- 7705 so we can assist you further with helping you find a solution. I get asked this question asked quite often and my answer is always "No". I don't recommend bleach because it eats away the interior componets of your pump. There are alternative options to keeping your water clear such as Fountec (liquid drops), Fountain Blocks, vinegar, and even pennies (the copper oxidizes the water). Nothing will keep your water 100% clear for months at a time but these options do extend the time periods between water changes. The way Fountec and Fountain Blocks work are quite similar. Once your fountain is cleaned, simply add the recommended drops or drop a fountain block in your fountain and top off the fountain with water. White distilled vinegar can be added as well. We urecommend about 2-4 oz per gallon of water. Just be mindful that it may produce a slight vinegar odor. You can also add about one shiny penny per gallon of water and change out once they dull.
No matter what method you choose, your fountain will still need to be cleaned periodically. See our blog about cleaning fountains for more information. For your convenience, Bakana Gardens & Gifts sells fountain cleaning products which are available for purchase at the store. If you need any products mailed, contact (225) 647-7705 for more information. Bakana Gardens & Gifts Monday-Saturday 9:00-5:00 P.M 1030 Airline Hwy, Gonzales, LA 70737 Here at Bakana Gardens, we believe in not letting things go to waste. If there is a chance of recycling and restoring concrete products, who have seen better days, we are always up for the challenge. Here is an example of a fountain we have refurbished to appear brand new.
Happy Easter to you and your family! The weather has officially
transitioned from winter to spring and it is an easy reminder that we are all in a new season. I anticipate my bulbs springing forth from the ground and sitting back to watch my seed packets become a living reality. I have begun to brainstorm how I want my landscape to look like this year and give my curb appeal a fresh look. The possibilities are endless when I think of how many options I have at Bakana Gardens. Bakana allows me to design my own one of a kind art piece by color and parts. I have the liberty of choosing my own unique colors and pieces to compliment the style of my house. There are a few things to take into consideration if you are in the market for a garden fountain. First, consider how much time you have to spend in a garden. A fountain must have water for the pump to run and If the water supply is not properly maintained you can expect to go through more pumps throughout the life of your fountain. I recommend installing a sprinkler system line in your fountain so you don't have to fill up the water yourself on a daily basis. I still find them beautiful whether running 24 hours a day or not. Fountains also require electricity to run so be sure to have a certified electrician to install an outdoor outlet close to where you want your fountain to be if there is not one already there. Secondly, consider the amount of space you have to work with. There are several different sizes of fountain to choose from on our lot. Our smallest fountain will require a minimum of 18 x 18 inches at the base and the sizes go up from there. Lastly, consider your budget. Bakana Gardens offers many brands to fit any size budget. The price you see on the tag will include everything you need for your fountain to run including the pump, putty, wedges and tubing. You will not have to worry about the inconvenience of driving from one store to another to purchase anything extra. The employees will be happy to walk you through the installing process or you can pay a small fee to have the fountain delivered and installed on your property. Whatever you decision may be Bakana Gardens is there to solve your fountain questions and serve you. Have a safe and wonderful Easter. We hope to earn your business! Winter can put a damper on your time in the yard. A lot of annuals have already died off and the yard may not seem as colorful as
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