The gentle sounds of a fountain splashing on the water can be the perfect finishing touch to a patio. However, garden fountains can be costly to set up, and need a lot of maintenance.
Enter solar water fountains. These clever appliances can be great for local birds, fish in ponds, and keeping your backyard free of biting bugs. Best of all, like most solar appliances, such as solar outdoor lights, solar fountains are low-cost, easy to install, and free to run.
That all sounds great, but is it actually true? Here is all you need to know about solar fountains, and why they can be an effective solution to several common backyard problems.
1. Solar fountains keep bird baths healthy
The main reason to buy a solar fountain isn't aesthetic. There are some great solar water features on the market, but the original purpose is to keep water healthy for birds.
That's because solar water fountains stop water from becoming stagnant. If you've ever left a bucket out in the rain, you'll know that standing water can quickly gather algae and bacteria. Cyanobacteria can be particularly dangerous.
A solar water fountain keeps the water in your fountain moving, so it's safe for birds to wash and drink. It's just another way to keep local bird populations healthy.
This is the best of the basic solar water fountains - a simple solar panel that floats just under the water and cycles the water in your bird bath.
Slightly more expensive bird bath solar fountains have a range sprinkler heads for different spray patterns and also light up.
You don't necessarily need a solar fountain, either. A solar wiggler like this will agitate the water for you, creating gentle ripples rather than splashes.
2. They make water fresh for fish
All of the above also applies to fish. Moving water is less likely to be a breeding ground for bacteria and algae which could harm fish in garden ponds.
A solar water pump is a good way to automate this process and give a boost to your usual pond pump. If you have a natural pond without a pump, so much the better, as the solar water fountain will help circulate the water to keep it clean.
However, bear in mind that there are some drawbacks with using a solar fountain pump for fish. These pumps only run in the daytime, so it won't keep the water fresh at night, and they can also run slowly in the shade, so it isn't the best way to guarantee clean water in a garden pond.
3. Solar-powered fountains can keep bug bites at bay
Solar water fountains aren't just good for birds. A solar water fountain can help keep you free from bug bites.
Just like algae and bacteria, mosquitos love to use standing water as a breeding ground. If you like being near a pond, you'll know that this can lead to huge local mosquito problems and lots of itchy bites.
A solar water fountain cycles the water, which means mosquitos can't lay eggs in it, saving you from nasty bug bites.
4. They are easy to install
Solar fountains are great because they're easy to install and run. Electric fountains are harder to install because they need plumbing, wiring, and in some cases, you even need to lay a concrete base to keep the water level.
That's not the case with a solar water fountain. Head of Gardens Rachel Bull says 'There is almost nothing to do with these solar features. All you need to do is switch it on and place the water fountain in your birdbath or pond. That's it - you can have a working water fountain in your backyard in minutes.'
Rachel is a gardening editor, flower grower and floral designer. Her journalism career began on Country Living magazine, sparking a love of container gardening and wild planting. After more than a decade writing for and editing a range of consumer, business and special interest titles, Rachel became editor of floral art magazine The Flower Arranger. She then trained and worked as a floral designer and stylist in London for six years, before joining the Homes & Gardens team.
5. You can save money
One of the best things about solar water fountains is that they're low-cost. A full-size concrete birdbath fountain like this at Wayfair can cost thousands of dollars to buy, let alone install.
A solar fountain, however, can be incredibly inexpensive. The floating models above cost no more than $40, so you can save huge amounts of money. On top of that, they use free solar energy, so there are no ongoing costs. You can also save money if you buy a solar water feature, which can give the same aesthetic appeal as an electric fountain without the high cost.
This small floor fountain has a solar pump built into the top, making for a perfect bird bath for a patio.
Minimalist spaces might be better suited by this sleek black fountain. Solar powered, it also lights up in the evening to add to your garden ambience.
A solar wall fountain like this is a great way to incorporate a solar water feature into a smaller yard. You can give birds a place to drink without sacrificing any floor space.
Solar water fountain FAQs
Why isn't my solar water fountain working?
Solar water fountains usually break because of an issue with the solar panel. Make sure the solar panel is clean, in full sun, and if you can, replace the batteries to make sure that it is charging correctly.
Solar garden appliances can be a great way to save money and use green energy. However, it's notoriously hard to find high-quality solar products. When you're working out where to buy solar lights, for example, make sure to use specialist retailers with hard-wearing metal lights.
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