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Using a terracota urn as a pond waterfall feature

cawthscawths Posts: 2
in Garden design
Hi, I have just built a new pond and have kept one corner free to construct a waterfall feature with stone. I am keen to use a terracota urn for the water to flow through and drop into the pond. Does this need to be glazed ? Would it be difficult  to convert a pot to enable what I want or do any companies sell them ready made ?? 
Thanks 

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,060
    hi and welcome to the Forum. 
    Not difficult at all. I bet you tube has videos on how to do it. Maybe have a look. 
    don't forget to take some pics and let  us see how it works.
    Devon.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,341
    It's something I done ages ago and I'm very pleased with it - 
    I can't find a better pic atm..


    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • cawthscawths Posts: 2
    Hi Pete, was this a glazed pot ?  This is the picture of the pond in progress with the area to complete with a small waterfall and hopefully urn/pot for the water to flow through
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,341
    Hi
    No the pot isn't glazed and it's been there some 20+ years now.
    I did have to drill a hole in the bottom - very slowly and carefully -  for the feed from the pump, but the urn is still fine after all these years. Though it is sheltered under my pergola.

    Some garden centres sell urns with a flat side and pre-drilled hole that are designed for what you want in either plastic or terracotta.
    Good luck with your project! :)
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,165
    If you're worried about water absorption and frost damage you can paint your terracotta pot with up to 3 layers of clear acrylic varnish which comes in matt, satin or gloss.   That will protect your pot but also stop it growing algae and lichens on the outside so maybe just protect the interior if you want a weathered look.

    Leave 24 hours between coats and don't do more than 3 as it will go milky looking.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,323
    I had a terracotta urn as a pond feature when I live in England. It had a pre-drilled hole in it, it wasn't glazed. I still have it now in the garden here some twenty years on, not as a water feature but I grow trailing plants in it!
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