Yes, if you look in the background you can clearly see that my grass needs to be mowed. My raised beds are still mostly empty. BUT, my disappearing fountain is finished!

Unfortunately, I did not take step by step pictures, but it is a fairly simple, straight forward process.

My Materials (all used around the house except for the pump)

• 1. Extra large flower pot
• 2. water reservoir (I used a large plastic tub that cattle minerals came in.)–The water reservoir tub must be wider than your pot!
• 3. Pump (This is the pump that I ordered from Amazon. The link is an AFFILIATE LINK. If you order from this link I will receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
• 4. concrete blocks, large rocks, OR bricks (These are used to support the pot and are placed in the water reservoir.)
• 5. hardware cloth (I had a roll lying around from when I made my chicken house. If you have to buy this it comes in a roll. Here is an Amazon affiliate link for the hardware cloth. Again, I will receive a small compensation if you order from this link.
• 6. Extension cord (This powers the pump unless you choose a solar pump.)–more on this later.
• 7. Disc blade from a farm disc. (Most farmers have used ones lying around that they will give you for free. If not, you can purchase one at a farm equipment dealer.
• 8. Clear silicon sealant (Here are Amazon affiliate links for the two brands that are supposed to be safe for birds and pets. DAP 100% all purpose silicone clear I used clear. If you order another brand be careful because many are white. Lactate Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant
• 9. A piece of PVC pipe about 18 inches long. I used 3/4 inch PVC because that is what I had lying around.

I was initially afraid to use the silicone sealant for fear it would hurt the birds or other wildlife that visit the fountain. Or my CATS! So I researched it and found an article that said these two were supposed to be safe.

DIY STEPS:

• 1. Dig a hole large enough for your water reservoir. When placed in the hole, the top of the tub should be an inch or so above the surface of the ground to prevent dirt from washing in during a rain.
• 2. Place concrete blocks, rocks, or bricks in the water reservoir to create a platform for your pot to sit on.
• 3. Cut your hardware cloth a little larger that the top of your reservoir and put it over the blocks/ bricks.
• 4. Set pot on top of the hardware cloth. You may have to work with the blocks/ bricks to arrange them in a manner so your pot will not wobble or rock. You want it to be good and stable.
• 5. Fold hardware cloth back enough to put the pump in the bottom of the reservoir tub. Make sure to secure the pump hose to the pump first. The hose comes with the pump.
• 6. Tilt your flower pot and run the hose up through the hole in the bottom of the pot.
• 7. Take your disc blade and use the silicone to glue the PVC pipe to the bottom of the disc blade. The purpose of the PVC pipe is to stabilize the hose. The hole in the disc blade is too large for the hose that came with my pump, and I needed something to reduce the size of the hole.
• 8. Let the silicone dry and cure for 24 hours.
• 9. Set the disc blade on top of your flower pot and run the hose up through the PVC pipe. To get the bubbling effect, you will probably need to reach in with your finger and poke the hose down the pipe 1/2 inch to 1 inch. This reduces the water flow. Also, the side of the pump has a dial that you can adjust to get the exact water flow that you need.
• 10 CAUTION!!!!! Be sure to fill your reservoir / tub with water BEFORE you plug in your pump or you will burn up your new pump! I used a heavy duty extension cord for power and will cover it with mulch. Here is an Amazon Affiliate Link where you can purchase an outdoor weatherproof safety box that protects the connection from the pump cord to the extension cord. Here is an Amazon Affiliate Link for one.
• 11. Cover the hardware cloth with washed gravel and/or large rocks. I used both.