Cascading Barrel Fountains For The Garden

A barrel fountain may be bought or purchased for use indoors or out. They are available in many designs and sizes, ranging from several barrel units to large fountains created from numerous stacked barrels which cascade several steps. A barrel fountain adds a nostalgic look which may be reminiscent of old wine country or of whiskey country depending upon the accents added.

Barrel Fountain Styles

Barrel fountain styles include the simple half barrel fountain which is created through the use of a half whiskey or wine barrel and a spigot which is often designed to resemble an old cast iron hand pump. The water flows from the spigot into the barrel and recirculates through an electric water pump and up through a hose to the spigot again.

A stacked barrel fountain may be created by using two or more half barrels either of different sizes or all one. They are stacked one upon the other and may be tilted to provided spilling from one to the next, or they may contain a spout or other feature to allow the water to pour from one barrel to the next.

Building a Barrel Fountain

Building a barrel fountain is actually quite easy and often less expensive than purchasing one. To create a simple single barrel style, choose a half barrel or saw a full barrel in half for the base. A liner may be used as it will extend the life of the barrel however it is not required if the barrel is fairly new and the wood fits tight. Bricks should be placed in the bottom of the barrel and a small pump placed upon them to circulate the water. The attached hose will go through whatever is used to create the spout, whether a purchased spigot or a pipe found around the house. This should be level, water may then be placed in the barrel and the pump plugged to create a very simple fountain.

Shopping for a Barrel Fountain

Shopping for a barrel fountain may be done locally at garden centers or businesses which feature outdoor decorating supplies. Often seasonal greenhouses will also feature decorative outdoor items to accent plantings as well.

Online shopping for barrel fountains will provide many sizes and styles from which to choose. These include traditional single barrel and triple barrel fountains, to very large fountains created from ten or more barrels. There are many different types of sites to search when looking online, a garden site will often have fountains as will outdoor decor sites and of course sites that specialize in fountains only.




When choosing a barrel fountain, having a specific location in mind prior to purchasing it may help dictate the size. They are often heavy, particular if more than one barrel is involved and after they are filled with water they are more so. Knowing that it will not be moved often, try to place the barrel fountain where it is protected from long periods of direct sunlight which will weather the wood and in a fairly level spot. Refill the water as needed due to evaporation to keep the pump from running dry.

The exterior of a barrel fountain will likely be pretreated prior to purchase if a new barrel has been used. Older barrels which have been used for storage of whiskey or wine may not be treated so as not to contaminate the products. The wood may be treated to prevent UV damage as well as damage from wind and rain if left outside. Different types of finishes should be applied depending upon where the fountain will be used.

A barrel fountain should easily last for twenty years with little care, longer if inside and not exposed to the elements. Their rustic charm has made the barrel fountain a popular decorating accent for garden use and within the home for many years.