I have a small preformed pond just off my front porch. When our neighbor got a yellow lab pup, there was a constant battle to try (unsuccessfully) to keep her out of the pond. She's a really nice well mannered dog, but just couldn't resist that open water. I don't mind her coming over to visit (I have a boxer mix and they go back and forth between our properties on a pretty constant basis). Rather than continuing to fight a losing battle, I opted to convert the pond to a pondless water feature. Here is the project in progress, still working on it:





I've planted the back side with blood grass and plan to add native wild ginger around the perimeter, with some trillium here and there for a bit of pop. We've left a small section open for the animals to get drinking water, and I'm now starting to get birds using the bubblers for drinks/baths. Hopefully by the end of next season, it will look less raw and start to fill in with plants again. I'm also considering sinking a pot or two of marginal plants among the cobble, but will let it sit for a while before making that decision.

I love the bubblers. Maybe better than the pond! You did a great job. I would love to have some moving water in my backyard, but with no electrical outlet close, I haven't figured out how to make that happen.

I think I've seen some solar bubbler/sprayers online somewhere or the other. No clue how well they work, or if they would push enough water to keep it circulating. Might be worth a try in a small container (half a wooden cask?).

Thanks for the complement, but must give credit to my son for the idea/design/build. It was all him, I just sat on the porch sipping mimosas with his girlfriend as he labored away.

Beautiful design.

That looks wonderful. I love the tall stones. Mimosas and free labor sounds like a great day!

I have tried several solar pumps and they are all trash in my opinion. I talked to Hill Country Water gardens about their experience with solar and they had the same sentiment on them. I was really bummed after my third and most pricey one bit the dust and I finally gave up on them.

Thanks for the review on solar pumps. I had also read that they don't work very well. I did try a battery powered 'wriggler' in my birdbath. Can't recommend that either. It worked, but I couldn't keep it out of the water. I'm not always home when a sudden thunderstorm might dump lots of rain and raise the level in the birdbath. Guess I'll just keep wanting for now. Will possibly look into how much running a line might cost, because I think you get a lot more bird activity when you have moving water.

Sall20, make sure if you do get a line put in, that it is brand new wire(not used) and has an extra protective sleeve around it. I kept blowing my switches and later found out I had a short in my line that triggered the safety from the ground getting wet. My husband is always trying to save a buck and has yet to get the true grasp of you get what you pay for.
I agree that running water in the garden really does add a lot, not just wildlife, but a feeling of peace and life for me. My ponds are currently not running and I hope to have that fixed soon.

Sometimes having a hubby who is not handy (and doesn't want to be) is blessing in disguise. We usually have to hire out anything we want done around here. Of course it costs more, but I don't have to worry so much about fixing the problems caused by fixing the original problem! I do have to pick and chose what I can do though. That is the down side. Getting a water feature is moving up on my list.

Beautiful convert you did there. I have several small ponds scattered around the gardens but this in my bubbler. Very easy to do.