Spring Preview: Buying Garden Fountains Online

The warm, pleasant weather and beautiful colors of spring are just around the corner, and it's a great time to start planning your garden. Ordering seed packets from nursery catalogs, making lists of gardening supplies you need and researching other items you plan to purchase during February and March will help you get your outdoor space off to a great start once the flowers start blooming. If you're considering adding a garden fountain to your landscape design, we've got some great tips for you to help along the process.

Why shop online versus buying a garden fountain from a local nursery? You'll have a much larger selection to choose from (hundreds vs. maybe a few dozen), access to fountain experts who can assist you along every step of the purchasing process, and never have to leave the comfort of your own home! Some fountain manufacturers provide samples of the materials and finishes used in their fountains so you can see it in person before purchasing - contact customer service for more info.

Measure your space. Decide where you want to place your outdoor fountain, and get all the measurements - height, width, length and depth. It may help to stack some cardboard boxes in your chosen spot to help you get an idea of the size fountain you're looking for. Make sure it won't block foot traffic, will be easy to access for maintenance and isn't directly under a tree (unless you plan to remove debris daily).

Browse the various styles of garden fountains available online to get an idea of price points, colors and designs. Taking a look at what's out there can help you determine what will work best for your needs. Don't forget to factor in any extra costs like shipping, taxes and lift gate fee, if applicable.

How do you know if you need to request lift gate service? Check the description on the product page, which will tell you whether it's required based on the dimensions and weight of your chosen fountain. Unless your residence or place of business has a loading dock and forklift to unload the fountain from the truck, you need to order lift gate service. A lift gate is a mechanism on the truck that lowers its freight to the ground.

The set-up process varies according to the size and weight of the fountain. Many garden fountains can be set up by one or two people in an afternoon, since they're shipped either completely assembled (as with many small garden fountains) or in three to six manageable pieces (medium to large garden fountains). Very large fountains (over 72") may require the assistance of a group and possibly some heavy equipment- you can hire a local contractor to help.

For more info about purchasing, assembling and maintaining garden fountains, see the Kinetic Fountains Buyer's Guide.

Pictured above: Stone Pillar Outdoor Fountain