Frigid Weather and Garden Fountains

Installing water features in your home’s landscape is a great way to improve the style, and even the value, of your home. Many people have them as accents for their lawn, complements for their patio space, and centerpieces of their gardens. They offer a plethora of benefits along with their beautiful and decorative styles. People who live in colder climates, or experience brutal winter weather are often very apprehensive when it comes to installing water features in their own home. But, there are actually plenty of options for people in cold areas. If you’d like a water feature in a colder climate, be sure to choose something that is easily drained, easy to move or cover, and made of the proper materials.

Drain Them

Fountains and ponds come in a wide range of sizes and styles. Some circulate a hundreds of gallons of water, while some operate on just a few. If you are installing a water feature in a location that experiences harsh winter conditions, you’ll definitely want to choose something with less water. Units that move less water are more easily drained, and you’ll need something that is easily drained. If you leave water sitting in a fountain through those winter months, it will freeze, and that can cause major, irreparable damage to your garden fountain. You don’t want to turn on your fountain in the spring to find that it is cracked and broken from ice damage.

Protect Them

The cold temperatures aren’t the only ways that your water can be damaged by the elements. If you want to protect your fountain from some of the more brutal effects of nature, you’ll probably want to utilize a fountain cover. Covering your fountain will protect the materials and finish during the months when you do not have it operating.

If you live in a harsh climate with heavy precipitation in the winter time, a simple cover might not be enough. If you are still worried about what Mother Nature might do to your outdoor water feature, consider purchasing one that isn’t too hard to move. Sometimes the best way to avoid the elements is to escape them altogether. During those unforgiving months, you may consider placing your fountain in a garage or shed.

Choose Proper Materials

Fountains come in a wide range of materials. Some are made of natural stone, or concrete, while others are made of metal or contain glass. Some of these materials are a lot more durable than others, and with the proper maintenance, can last for years, even in rough climates. Don’t choose materials that will chip, crack, or break easily. When you’ve chosen the right fountain, look into maintenance and repair kits. The way you care for your fountain will make all the difference.

Don’t let the fear of cold weather stop you from having water features in your own garden. There are still options for those of us who sometimes get snow and ice. Draining during freezing weather, protecting the pieces from the elements, and choosing fountains made of durable materials will allow you to have water features like everyone else!