Rose Cottage Ltd

It’s been so hot lately that I’m refilling my 2 bird baths twice a day. By about 2pm, the cold water I added at 8am is already bathwater warm. This may sound great for a human bath, but it’s not very refreshing for birds to drink.

I also think the sound of running, splashing, or trickling water can make one at least “think” if not “feel” a little less overheated. Below are some fountain ideas for you and for your feathered friends – for garden, or tabletop use…

Blue is a “cool” color. Add it wherever you can in your Summer garden. This
Fish Solar Fountain is similar to one I have on my patio table…

There are absolutely no running costs and set-up is as simple as placing the solar panel in direct sunlight and adding water. The low voltage pump sends water to the top urn where it trickles back to the basin to be recycled creating an amiable environment perfect for any garden, patio or balcony. Weather Resistant.

Dimensions: 10 1/2 ” H x 17″ W x 17 1/2 ” D

Taking time for some peaceful reflection? This Solar Buddah Fountain may help!

Black Iron Finish and operates on battery power at night.

Includes remote control underwater integral solar panel & pump system. Low voltage water pump with filter, removable and exclusive wild bird wading deck. No wiring, simply install and enjoy.

Fountain measures 20.25″L x 18.75″W x 21.9″H

The Calming Bamboo Fountain will help you carry on with your peaceful reflections – and add a tropical flair to your garden table.

This skillfully hand crafted table top fountain is designed by a team of gifted artisans. This piece creates a striking focal point wherever it is placed. The fountain’s gently flowing waters provide a calming effect as they soothe nerves and restore body, mind and spirit. Stones and greenery included. Pump Included. Decorative and Functional.

Dimensions 10″ L x 10″ W x 11″ H

Estate Fountains – For larger yards and garden areas…

The Double Oblique W/ Ball Fountain Amatrice is made of heavy duty watering cans and vases that are hot dipped in zinc for a lifetime of protection and use. Hot dipping prevents leaks and rust while keeping the watering cans looking brand new year after year.

Features: Designed for free flow of water without spills
Holds: 2 gallons

I love the look of this Nova Fountain (Ancient).

Constructed with Glass fiber Reinforced Concrete, which is makes it lighter and more durable than cast stone. Sure to be unique to your backyard, deck, patio or landscape. Our pumps are commercially designed to last. Unique Designer Model.

Includes Commercial Pump Great for any Landscape. 14 Colors to Choose From. 4-6 Week Lead Time Free Shipping!

Lots of options to choose from with this fountain – pick out the style and color just right for your outdoor living space!

Hundreds of other fountains and products for Summer 2012 from…

Cement questions to ask yourself…how much do you need, and how much can you properly manage?

While the cement for the paver stones shown on prior posts was mixed by hand, the desire for a concrete slab near the new back door meant more and faster concrete production would be required.

Time to ponder a cement mixer.

Although most portable cement mixers are rated between 3 and 5 cubic feet we found our actual batch sizes were typically about 2 cubic feet or 3 bags of Quikcrete.

To put this in perspective, a 4-foot square of sidewalk, 6 inches thick, requires 8 cubic feet (4′ x 4′ x 1/2′) or 12 bags of Quikcrete. You can see that even a small concrete slab takes a surprising amount of cement – and work.

If you’re looking at a driveway or patio, hire the ready-mix truck to come in and pour your concrete. We did not have that option here since no local truck having the pumping capability, in this instance – long distance from the main street, was available.

Your first online research may have you believing you’ll need to spend $1500+ for a cement mixer. Not true.

We selected the Kobalt 4 cu ft Multi-Use Portable Mixer from Lowe’s. It has a 235lb mixing weight and a 2.3 cubic foot mixing capacity. This is about all a 2-person crew can manage.

The lightweight plastic drum will be both durable and easy to clean. The 1/2 hp electric weatherproof motor was sufficiently powerful to mix the cement batches we needed. Knowing this was a once-in-awhile use item, the $350 +/- price tag seemed acceptable.

You’ll need to have an assembly-line plan to complete this project. Multiple mixes, spins of the cement mixer, pours, finishing, start the next batch, and over, and over. In this case, an extra pair of hands or two will be welcomed.

The other time-consuming part of this task is concrete finishing. It is not as easy as professionals make it look. Start with a small area and work it until it is as smooth and level as you can possibly make it. This finishing skill does seem to get better the more you do – like so many other DIY challenges. But with concrete pours, you just need to learn and improve quickly!

Plan on spending 30 minutes plus cleaning the unit after use if you want to be able to ever use it again! Once concrete dries, it stays!