1. Mini Container Water Gardens

   These can be ideal for many reasons. Mini water gardens fit into tiny spaces, they are simple to clean and maintain, and most importantly in this case provide a very low-cost barrier to entry. Most mini water gardens are under $1k to set up. While you can DIY it and use a large pot or a decorative container to create a miniature pond, there are also a variety of miniature water garden kits available that make the process easy and ensure that you have all the components to make it work. With the right elements, you can add aquatic plants and sometimes even small fish. Container water gardens can be easier to maintain and can be a charming focal point on a patio, in a small garden corner, and even inside your home! (this is certainly a plus to miniature water gardening when us Minnesotans are stuck inside half the year!). Mini container water gardens are one of our favorites because anyone can have one anywhere they want! Unfortunately, that makes it too easy to have them everywhere you want…

2. Fountains

   Fountains are the basic starting block for any outdoor waterscaping “intro-preneur.” Fountains are easier to install in tight spaces, and require the lowest investment to get started. While the average starting pond and pondless waterfall are between $8,000 and $14,000, fountains start at just $3,995. Additionally, annual cleaning and maintenance is greatly reduced for such a simple system as a fountain. Fountainscapes are a simple and elegant addition to any yard, and can be easily upgraded at a fraction of the price of many other water feature upgrades. Additionally, fountain pieces are the perfect choice if you have an existing water feature you’d like to integrate with a new show-piece. While adding a pond to a pondless waterfall or adding a waterfall to an existing pond requires some level of excavation and “nature-fication,” oftentimes a fountain piece can be added without too much construction.

When creating a budget-friendly for your space, keep in mind these two options. With a bit of smart budgeting and some educational ingenuity, you can enjoy the calming presence of a water feature without overspending.

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