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Having a birdbath or fountain in your garden is one of the easiest ways to create an outdoor sanctuary for your own enjoyment
Birdbath & Fountain Care
Your birdbath offers a much needed source of water for area birds, butterflies and bees. With these simple tips, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of a garden water feature year-round!
PREPARATION TIPS
Choose a water feature that will hold up to the conditions. Some decorative birdbaths and fountains may be designed for short-term outdoor use only. If it looks questionable, ask! Prepare the area in which you will have your birdbath or fountain. Make sure it will sit on a sturdy, level surface in your garden. Larger fountains may require a little extra site preparation in order to provide the most long-term stability, such as a concrete or brick pad. Make sure your water feature is near a garden hose or another easily-accessible faucet for quick filling and cleaning. If your water feature requires electricity in order to operate, read installation instructions thoroughly and setup accordingly.Keep in mind; if you have pets such as cats or dogs, you may want to consider the safety of the wildlife visiting your feeder or fountain. For example, a low-level birdbath placed adjacent to dense shrubbery may be an easy target for a cat to ambush the birdbath visitors
SETTING UP
Once you have chosen your water feature and prepared the site, it’s time to install it. Ask for help from a friend or neighbor if the item is particularly heavy or awkward to move Using fresh water, thoroughly rinse out the birdbath or fountain bowl(s) to remove any existing dirt or residue. Allow to dry before refilling .Fill again with fresh water and attach any pumps or other features to your source of electricity and observe for proper operation. It may take a few minutes for a water pump to circulatethe water and begin operating smoothly. If you notice any problems - such as no water movement at all or unusual sounds being made by your water pump, disconnect from the electrical source and give us a call.
MAINTENANCE TIPS
When kept regularly full and clean, your new birdbath or fountain should provide many years of easy enjoyment. Keep the following tips in mind in order to get the most out of your garden investment. Maintain fresh water in your birdbath or fountain at all times. This may be the most challenging part of owning a water feature. Keeping the water clean and fresh will help prevent the spread of disease amongst your feathered friends and will keep the water feature in top shape. Birdbaths can be kept outside year round. When the water freezes, add enough slightly warm water to defrost the existing ice or invest in a birdbath heater.
In areas where the winter temperatures fall below freezing for several weeks at a time, it is recommended you thoroughly clean and drain all water, then move the fountain to a garage or shed for the winter. However, this may be inconvenient for most home gardeners. The next best option would be to clean and drain your fountain, remove the water pump for indoor storage and cover your fountain using a canvas tarp. At the very least, drain your fountain of water and keep it free of debris throughout the winter. (Note: many manufacturers will not honor damage claims to water features which are not covered or stored during the winter)
Gulley’s Gardening Tips
Freshening up the water and regularly removing debris from your water feature can be an easy and enjoyable garden task that will help you to get the most out of your investment.
