Materials:
Strawberry terra cotta pot
Potting soil mixed with soil from around your home
Plastic flower pot with a drainage dish attached to fit snugly inside the strawberry pot
Small fountain pump
Clear 1/2" plastic tubing
Scissors
Museum wax or waterproof sealant
Herb plants of choice
Water
Small flat stones
Pyrex dessert dish or small plastic margarine tub
Chicken wire or plastic mesh from the bottom of flower flats
1. Fill the strawberry terra cotta pot about half way up with soil.
2. Plug all the drainage holes in the second flower pot either by using museum wax or waterproof glue or, if you're using a pot with a single hole in the center, use a cork to plug the hole. The container needs to be sealed and waterproof because this is where the water will be held.
3. Cut a "V" shape in the rim of the second pot with a pair of wire cutters. This is where the cord from the water pump will be fed out and around the pot.
4. Turn a Pyrex dessert dish or small plastic margarine tub upside down and secure it in the bottom of the second flower pot. The small pump will sit on top of this in the pot.
5. The small fountain pump can be found in aquarium stores or garden shops.These "baby" pumps can pump about 70 gallons per hour. Place the pump on top of the the dessert dish or margarine tub in the flower put. Slide a piece of clear 1/2" plastic tubing over the pump's release valve. Pull the power cord through the "V" shaped hole in the rim of the pot and thread it under the rim around the pot.
6. Cut a circle of chicken wire or plastic mesh from the bottom of a flower flat the size of the opening in the flower pot. Cut a hole in the center of the wire or mesh for the plastic tubing to go through.
7. Put the flower pot inside the strawberry pot. Run the power cord for the pump out through one of the holes in the strawberry pot. Line up the rims of the two pots and fit them tightly together.
8. Place the flat stones all the way around the wire mesh on the top. They will hide the pump. Pour water into the pot being sure to cover the pump. Snip off the excess plastic tubing. Pile up more stones so you can't see the top of the tubing. The first question everybody asks is, "Where's the water coming from?" Illusion is always so wonderful.
Sit Back and Admire Your Work!
9. Plant herbs or flowers in the holes of the strawberry pot.
Plug in the pump and listen to the wonderful sound of the bubbling water. It's so tranquil. Put the fountain in your kitchen, on the porch or wherever you want to enjoy the wonderful beauty and peaceful sounds.
I found a great site with the perfect pump and only for $15.45, that includes shipping too(U.S.)! They also give discounts if you order more than one. "How to build your own tabletop fountain"
