Build a Waterfall Garden Fountain

A well-placed water feature adds beauty and elegance to any yard or garden. This self-contained waterfall takes up little space, but has a big impact. Bring beauty and tranquility to the yard with this weekend DIY project.

37-gallon heavy duty trashcan with lid / forty 10-1/2-inch x 7-inch x 3-1/2-inch tumbled stone bricks / twenty-six 7-inch x 7-inch x 3-1/2-inch tumbled stone bricks / seventeen 7-inch x 3-1/2-inch x 1-3/4-inch tumbled stone bricks / 1/2 HP Sump pump with 1-1/4-inch hose / two 12-inch lengths 2-inch pvc pipe / 22-inch plastic flower box / 1-1/4-inch bulkhead / 1-1/4-inch thread adapter / two 1-1/4-inch street 90-degree elbow pipes / 1-1/2-inch x 48-inch perforated angle iron / 22-inch x 39-inch piece pond liner / 26-inch x 7-inch aluminum flashing / silicone sealant / two 1-1/4-inch hose barbs with clamps / 24-inch x 24-inch metal lath or heavy screen / 24-inch x 48-inch slate slab / shovel / level / tape measure / drill with 2-1/2-inch and 1-1/4-inch hole saws / tin snips / utility knife / jigsaw

Select a location and orientation for your fountain. Check with utility companies before digging, then use a shovel to dig a hole just large enough to hold your 37-gallon trash can, leaving a rise of about two inches at the surface. Use a level to make sure can rests evenly. Fill any gaps around the can and cover with lid while working to keep dirt out. This trashcan will serve as a reservoir from which water will be drawn and returned when the fountain is operating.

Use dirt from hole or paver base to level the ground around the reservoir and tamp down thoroughly. It is important the ground be firm and level to establish a sturdy foundation for the fountain riser.