How-To Make a Bubbling Barrel Pond

Making a Bubbling Barrel Pond – The relaxing sound of gently bubbling water is a peaceful addition to any yard, and it can be achieved with easy to procure materials. Here are items closest to those that we used; however, it is easy to get creative on many of the finishing elements, so feel free to do so!

Materials list

· A large wooden planting barrel (or old wine cask halved – we got ours, a 25.98 in. Dia x 16.54 in. H barrel from Home Depot because it was cheapest there – you can order from anywhere you can find a large one though)

· A PVC Pond liner

· A staple gun

· Staples for the stapler

· Good scissors or a razor

· Some big rocks or bricks for bottom filler

· Some nice flat stones for the top like slate (we used old roofing shingles we had from a previous project, but if you do not have access to those, these slate cheeseboards could work well for the top piece.

· A small, submersible Water Pump for Aquarium/Tabletop Fountains/Ponds/Water Gardens

· Outdoor extension cord

· Water

While you may certainly find these supplies anywhere that works for you, I have included affiliate links to items that could work well to complete this project above for your convenience. Please note that as an Amazon Associate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Step 1:

Start getting your pond liner into the barrel, spread it out and make sure that it is arranged so that it will come over the top on all sides while spreading out flat in the bottom of the barrel, and using your staple gun, staple securely around the edges. Make sure to use a sturdy and deep staple (that works with your staple gun of choice, of course)

Step 2:

As you staple around, make sure to fold the liner on itself (like wrapping a present) and make pleats so that it lies flat around all of the sides and edges as best as you can. I also put some rocks in the bottom to make sure the liner is fully flat on and stretched out across the bottom of the barrel and up the sides before completing my stapling.

Step 3:

Carefully using either scissors or a razer, cut the excess liner off to create a clean edge around the barrel. Be cautious as to not cut too close to the staples so as to not weaken the integrity of the liner in those areas.

Step 4:

Put your pond where you would like to have it, and make sure it is level! We put ours in the flowerbed itself, digging it down to make sure it is level with mulch around, but it would also work fine on a sturdy patio, balcony, or other flat surface inside or outside (If you choose a balcony, just make sure it can handle the weight!)

Step 5:

Next, start to carefully layer your rocks or bricks to build up a stage for your bubbler fountain pump. The very bottom rocks under the pump don’t have to be the pretty ones, you could use a few brinks or small cinder blocks down there, and then layer your more attractive rocks of choice on top. Build it up to a little about halfway

Step 6:

Nestle your pump in the middle on top of the platform you have created so far, and have some more narrow rocks or bricks around it to create a little bit of a bowl.

Step 7:

Now, layer your pretty top rocks to mostly cover the pump and keep it in place with just a portion of the pump hole visible (I covered half of my pump spout for a more calm bubbler, but if you want it to be more of a fountain you can leave it more exposed. Just be aware that it may evaporate quicker the more it sprays into the air!)

Final Step

Finally, fill with water, plug it in (you may need an outdoor extension cord to reach your outdoor power supply), and enjoy that calm!

Thanks for reading! Follow us on Instagram @Floweringfernleaves and let us know how the project worked for you!

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