(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)
I’ve never been in the market to employ a professional garden designer or landscaper to improve my yard. And as the cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, more homeowners like me are turning to DIY fixes to improve their outdoor spaces.The truth is, creating a beautiful garden doesn’t require a big spend; you just need creative thinking with savvy spending.With the summer weather finally arriving, I was motivated to kickstart a mini-project I’ve been planning all year — building my own backyard water feature.My mission was to create a low-level water feature with large pebbles placed at the bottom of a rounded bowl, topped with a small solar fountain to create movement.What’s more, the complete project took less than 30 minutes, cost under $40, and has provided an attractive feature and a drinking spot for birds.Here’s what I did, and how you too can achieve an attractive garden feature on a budget.1. Find a leak-proof bowl
(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)As I planned to provide drinking water for wildlife, finding a container that was easy to clean was a priority. Experts recommend rinsing and refilling the birdbaths daily to prevent the spread of disease, so I needed to find a bowl with an easy-to-clean surface.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.If you’re planting flowers into a container, a drainage hole is a must. However, with a water feature, you want to avoid a hole, as otherwise you’ll have the extra job of sealing it to prevent leaks.I found a dark green hole-free planter from Muddy Hands for £16 at Amazon. If you’re in the U.S., a similar alternative is Angoily’s Lotus Bowl Planter, $30 at Amazon.Top tip: Ensure your bowl is wide enough. If the diameter is too short, the spray will splash over the edges and you'll have to refill the bowl more frequently. Although some water will evaporate, it won’t be cast onto your lawn, or in my case, my gravel path.2. Add some decorative stones
