If you’ve been thinking about starting a water feature project in the garden this season, have you thought about adding the sights and sounds of an outdoor waterfall to your yard? Garden waterfalls are great for stress reduction – both watching and listening to water falling is a relaxing experience. Backyard waterfalls can also block some neighborhood or traffic noise, attract birds and other wildlife, and let’s face it… the best reason for building a garden waterfall is that they look AMAZING. (And for the practical side of you, or your S.O., add value to your home.) And yes, you can do a DIY garden waterfall! Not only is it much cheeper to do it yourself, it’s a fun project, especially for a couple or a family.
How to Build a Backyard Waterfall
Installing a DIY outdoor waterfall is not difficult. It just takes some basic knowledge. And yes, who are we fooling’…some hard work. But most of us DIY’ers aren’t afraid of getting dirty and dragging our garden mud through the kitchen for a day or two. ;) So here are our picks for DIY waterfall tutorials for our TGG readers.
DIY Waterfall Projects
Ok, go big or go home, right? So we start out with this DIY waterfall wall from ‘DIY Network‘, because it’s awesome. Like, “How fast can I drive to Home Depot?”, type of awesome. And copper? Yes, please. And believe it or not, this is a DIY tutorial! I love these type of outdoor projects where you can make a really amazing focal point for your backyard, on a budget.
Want your yard to look like it was done by high end landscape designers? Learn how to build a backyard waterfall with this innovative stone design from ‘HGTV‘. I know this looks complicated, but it’s just landscape bricks with a cap, and these experts walk you through how to plumb the waterfall.
Linda at ‘The Summery Umbrella‘ made this DIY waterfall and they show us exactly how they did it, on a budget! This whole project cost them right around $300. They show you how to use concrete to make the base and base rocks, then add found rocks and plants to add to the design.
Think you need a whole team to do a project like this? Think again… Adele on ‘Hometalk‘ shared how just her and her son created this huge DIY backyard waterfall and stream feature! Lots of step by step photos to walk you through it. This is a great way to take advantage of a slope in your yard and make it the coolest part of the garden. Of course, you can scale yours down a bit. :) If you have to.
Go all out and build ‘Family Handyman’s‘ backyard waterfall and stream. They have lots of great photos walking you through all the steps!
Also from ‘Family Handyman‘, this backyard waterfall project can be done in less than one day. It’s rated as simple, and is small enough to be installed without having to excavate half the backyard! Pretty and functional, and it could even be used by a front walk. Good instructions.
Susan at ‘Oh My Creative‘ has a great tutorial for you for this DIY waterfall and pond. She supplies you with good instructions, and step by step photos… Great job Susan!
Good step by step instructions over at Passion For Ponds, for this nice DIY waterfall project.
Lastly, ‘DIY Network‘ has a great tutorial on a DIY waterfall, with photos and instructions.
Have you installed a DIY garden waterfall? Share with other TGG readers in comments! We think you will also love our posts on Garden Water Feature Less Than $30 and How to Build a Floating Deck!
We have a huge pond out back and we’re getting this elgee on the sides where the shallow area is and its looks like slime but when you pull it up and it dries it looks like cardboard after being wet and dried out. Is that good elgee or bad for the pond. It’s not a spring pond just man made one.
I love it get out their and start doing it it does take time heart, cash, blood and sweat but in the end its your yard feature.
I live in Northern New York and I want to do this. Question – When the temperature is 6 degrees average for the month of Feb with 3 feet of snow, what should I have done with this the previous fall {if anything}? Is this something I will have to redo every winter?
I would think emptying it of water in the fall would protect it… Call you local nursery and ask what their recommendation is for your area, they should know!
Cut all plants back, turn off pump, before leaves fall, cover with a net, putting in a frame made of pvc to hold net above water. No decaying vegetation in pond.
I agree that doing your own projects are feasible now a days with all the info you can get from websites like yours. Taking time to read directions from experienced DIY ers makes it fun to accomplish your own design for a lot less money….I have seen some beautiful designs from people who just did their own design and built it.
Just never use black rubber roofing sheets to line pond if you are putting in fish…also have it deep enough with some shelter to hide if predators can invade their habitat. Have fun and take your time…..we did.
I think your website was very useful!! I don’t think you were trying to come off saying it was simple. You gave good details! Anyone with common sense knows any type of project like this will be time consuming and bumps in the road. So I say bravo and ty
I have been an avid water gardener for 10+ years now, and at this time I have dug and re-dug the same pond 5 times. Each time has been a learning experience, and I wouldn’t change that or ask for professional help. I take great pride in being able to say “I did that”, and I find that to be true for my fellow water garden friends. Thanks for the ideas!
I think water features are excellent landscaping additions when done properly. Your article helps sell water features but gives people a false sense that anyone can simply start digging and put together a successful waterfall or water feature. Having designed and installed many successful water features and seeing your article with the pictures its no wonder i get calls from folks requesting me to fix or renovate their existing water feature. My advice is always at least consult a professional before diving into project like a water feature.
I understand your perspective, but I think each DIY’er has to decide for themselves their capabilities…
You may get calls from individuals that couldn’t complete the project, but you have no way of knowing how many are successful in creating their own since they have no reason to call. One thing I will bring up about having a professional is that they should also be mindful of existing utilities where a general home owner may not. It should be left up to the individual whether they can tackle a project like this without paying an additional person for their advise before getting anything done.
You’re making a living helping those DIYers who didn’t succeed. Just my opinion but maybe you should be thanking the writer for supplying you with new customers. Just saying.
But if you can’t handle the business send them my way.
From a successful pond DIYer
I completely agree!! As a professional pond builder, I see DIY projects done incorrectly all the time. The builder has spent a lot of $$ and effort to have a big fail…either do lots of homework or call a pro