DIY Cinder block Raised Garden Bed and Fountain

[@tracisetter2164]

I love how patient your husband is when the pump doesn't work. I can hear the disappointment in your sigh when the water only comes out the one tube. I feel like I'd have the same reaction as you. But he is there to reassure you, "We'll figure it out", without a second of hesitation or anger. I would be the same way about waiting to seal it up and having second thoughts about a door etc🤣

[@olivegreyavenue]

I loved that moment too! He’s a fixer and I’m the dreamer so we work well together 🥰 thanks for watching and commenting ♥️

[@NickCager]

Seemed a little contrived.

[@believe3402]

It doesn't matter how it look like your DIY fountain. The most that matter is the relaxing sounds of the water dropping. Keep up the good work!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks so much 😊

[@comoelitamelendez8467]

YUPP, totally doing this myself! THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THIS! I am pretty sure a contractor would charge us $2k to do this!

[@angelximara6566]

I love how your project came out and how you guys figured out the fountain. I have been searching online for white extra large planters but those are thousands of dollars and a contractor would charged a lot to do something like this. It’s awesome and I know how to build my extra large white planters.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Oh yay! That’s awesome you can totally build large planters like this! I hope it turns out super well for you 😊 thanks for watching!

[@mollytorra9949]

Leaving the door was the very best decision! Congrats on this wonderful project. You guys are imaginative and industrious, and your results prove it. Hope you're enjoying your new planters and fountain!

[@olivegreyavenue]

We are very much enjoying them! Thank you!

[@Zomby_Woof]

You could also just seal one block using something like rtv to seal it. Set a couple of handles in it, and you'd just slice through the rtv with a knife and yank the block.

[@jenniesmythe8188]

Love this! Very nice

[@lebohanghlapane250]

You guys are so cute. I can just imagine how much your friends admire you.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Aw thank you so much! 💜

[@mini_worx]

You did the smart thing by having the access panel. This is the correct way of doing it for future servicing. Great job. I'm going to copy the idea but build it out of wood which I'm more comfortable with.Thanks!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Glad this was helpful!

[@mini_worx]

@@olivegreyavenue - It truly was 😊 I have been brainstorming ideas for a space I have between my deck and my patio (Currently hostas planted) but this planter/fountain idea will definitely create a better aesthetic atmosphere. Honestly, I'm so glad I found your video.

[@hollisnotgrass6841]

I love this!!! I am turning an old, concrete horse trough into a fountain and you’re right… there’s not much out there, but your video is THE BEST

[@olivegreyavenue]

Aw thank you so much!

[@miriamg8944]

I was happy to have found this video and even happier when I saw the Nicaragua tshirt on ur hubby. Thank u guys from a nica!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Aw thanks for watching!

[@nathanaelcard]

That indecision is sooooo relatable. Beautiful work

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@vuthihat48]

you guys are adorable, good looking family, awesome project, keep up the good work and thanks for sharing and inspiring!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks so much

[@mcarey2859]

Love this video. I to have been looking for DIY fountain videos and was surprised at how few there are. Thanks for the video, I learned a lot. It’s beautiful.

[@olivegreyavenue]

100% there aren’t many out there! I also made a follow up on a couple weeks ago about it leaking so check that one out too!

[@janicefitz6348]

Great idea and lovely. U should've put a squares of tiles on either side of the spigots. It looks bare. I believe u could still do that. Get ones with designs and it would add to ur villa feel. So would painting it an off white/light tan and then "antiquing" it on edges, etc. to make it look like it's old world instead of stark white. Nice job!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you

[@Lab757]

You go girl. It came out fabulous!

[@YILDIZ-READINGS-5D]

Love it. Ps when you do the white coat add detergent. It keeps it smooth and stays soft longer. One of my dads tricks

[@olivegreyavenue]

Oh that’s genius!

[@pm7823]

Wow! This is so so nice. We live close to the airport so hoping so do something like this to block out the airplane noise. This is just so nice!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Oh that’s awesome! Make sure to check out our follow up video on this too!

[@tedtolentino4955]

Looks great. Congratulations. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@briann4434]

You guys did an awesome job! Great design and creativity in building this!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks so much! It really came to life and I love it!

[@lisaschreiber2893]

ok I am about 20 seconds in and it’s stunning!!! I can not wait to see how you got there

[@olivegreyavenue]

Ah thank you!!

[@Dubz4k]

Just discovered y’all’s channel! I’m probably about to binge watch all the videos. My fiancé and I are about to start a few outdoor projects because we (like you) don’t want to wait for our dream home to enjoy how our home looks! Keep up the good work!!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Ahh glad you found us! Thanks so much for watching a good luck on your projects! 😊 we’re ALMOST done with our outdoor area 🙌🏻

[@diffened]

Very nice project. You should be proud the way it came out as you did a great job.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you so much! We love it!

[@MsFarmer567]

I Love ❤ It; I hadn’t thought to do a fountain but, my plans my change; Great Job!!

[@joseapar]

OMG exactly what i've been wanting to make! Thank you for sharing the project. Can you be more specific of the non-stucco product you used here. Thanks!

[@olivegreyavenue]

I used surface bonding cement

[@learning2growmyown]

Wow very creative idea thanks for sharing stay blessed

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@allthingsnu4673]

Y'all are my new favorite people! Great job!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Ahhh I love that! Thanks for watching!

[@bkitteh6295]

It's gorgeous. You guys did a wonderful job! I also love the plantings. The whole thing makes the entry to your home beautiful. Your husband has the patience of Job to level every single, freaking cinder block. ❤ And then to calmly state, "We'll fix it," when the big reveal reveals 1 (of 3) working fountain tubes. You guys are a good team❣ Now, for the buzzkill. 😱 YOU HAVE TO WEAR A MASK WHEN POURING & MIXING THAT POWDER CR@P!! 😱 I 'm sure I'm not the only one to have "mentioned" this, but it really is super important. Powdery construction materials - cement, plaster, whatever your stucco stuff is - mustn't be inhaled. 💀 (Did you say there was fiberglass in it??!!) ☠ Respiratory injury/disease is evil. Don't expose your beautiful selves to it. 🙏 If you read all the way down here, thanks! Thanks too for creating this sweet video of your project. It was fun & informative. 👋🏼🙋🏽‍♀️✌🏽

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@FaithandFun-w6q]

Fantastic upload friend keep it up 😊💗

[@olivegreyavenue]

Oh thanks so much!

[@micalar22]

This turned out so well!!! What a beautiful creation.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@rubenolguin2180]

Very awesome project!

[@selimbatuhan4959]

Very nice work! Amazing.👍

[@iammedusa2600]

Your fountain is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this. Enjoy!!!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Ah thank you so much!

[@kellyryanrn1890]

Really nice job

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@sfl6306]

Water plants will look nice in the fountain , Wayfair has a similar fountain on their site but it’s expensive so you saved a lot of money. You can always get a strong pump , see which one come with Wayfairs fountain. Nice work!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Good idea!

[@lisakeith7313]

Beautiful! Great job! Could you show more details on filling the cinder block planters with dirt & flowers or plants?

[@keclark4]

Great teamwork pays off! I could see how many would avoid attempting a project this size and weight, but my guess on why no one seemed to be knowledgeable about grouts is due to lack of training. Sometimes you luck out though and find someone with the right experience.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks for watching!

[@ronandwendylaroche3568]

Looks Beautiful!! Great Job!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you so much!

[@twillbdone3273]

Lovely build. Thank you for sharing with us. However, Like so many channels the background music overplays most of the speaking. Something that seems to work is to have a suitable music when there is no talking. And when there is talking have no music.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks for watching and the input!

[@1loveVogue]

I just did this! Wondering how yours has held up? I also didn’t do a scratch coat and applied one coat to brick.

[@billalaman]

This was awesome, thanks for sharing.

[@markperez4630]

Wow looks amazing.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@shebola2009]

It is outstanding. Not sure I will be able to add a pic I took at the garden center for a minuscule comparable fountain…. It costed 1,550!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Oh wow!!

[@raisinggoldfishonabudget7058]

It's really cool looking, if I wasn't BURIED in trees, & no real good place to put 1 I'd love to have 1 in my yard + I live in a northern state where it gets pretty crazy come winter seasons. I'd liked to seen it build in a normal day but oh well.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks

[@haileymapes6674]

Can you update us with any cracking, touch ups on the cement? I’m paranoid when it comes to permanent decisions and I want to make sure this would last!

[@olivegreyavenue]

I will! It’s been about 3-4 weeks since I finished it and nothing yet!

[@poundermonster]

Great video, do those cinder block, raised, garden bed need drainage?

[@jasonw6640]

very nice and very creative 👍

[@melissagarden4521]

SO Beautiful!!!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you so much!

[@JLThisisMe]

That came out really nice. I'm considering trying to do something similar -- probably minus the flower beds on each side due to space. Can I ask what that rectangular piece was that went over the cinder blocks stacked vertically in the basin? I didn't see it on the shopping list. Also, is the surface bonding cement used inside the basin to make it water tight? Thanks.

[@emmamurphy7317]

Wow! Nicely done! 😁

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you so much!

[@stepitup5409]

This is how Ill do mine!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Exciting!

[@ruhindadarnold5038]

Very beautiful work, 👏

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@parkersmithphoto]

Great job. I was looking for ideas to build a wall fountain and this really did the trick!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Glad I could help!

[@micheller9342]

This video is amazing! Thank you so much! What time of the year did you build this? I'm not sure if Spring (March) or Summer (July) would be better!

[@RootedInNicole]

Hes tearing that bagel up 😂 you guys did a good job. This layout concept (with additional holes for tubes) could potentially work for aquaponics too if it were wider. 🔥

[@olivegreyavenue]

Oh definitely there are tons of options! Aquaponics would be great!

[@TheCreativeVictor]

Progress not perfection. ❤️

[@olivegreyavenue]

Yes!

[@YoNeener]

I ❤ your vibe!

[@katypadgett8593]

Would you build self watering wicking beds?

[@blkr-d-drt1703]

We. Are going to attempt this project. The hole that is cut for the pump cord/hose can you explain how the water is keep in???Is there a part that holds the water? Thanks

[@mattfrost5604]

good job! It's stunning!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@vt20247]

great job! I like it and nicely done!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks so much!

[@MariaFiniArtist]

It looks great! You have inspired me to make something similar. What product did you use to glue the blocks together? How did you close up the bottom of the fountain? What did you use to attach the tile and grout the tile such that it is waterproof?

[@dcheetham8603]

Great job!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@Yvonne-dw1tk]

Awesome Job👍🏾

[@aprilm9551]

Helpful, thanks! So what IS this product that is not stucco that you're applying as the finish to the blocks?

[@friends_call_me_ajax]

How did you keep the reservoir of the fountain, where the pump sits, waterproof? How can I keep water from seeping out through the cinder block and the corners?

[@Family20123]

Omg thank u got my 1st home n I’m going to try this can u paint over this after it is dry

[@olivegreyavenue]

I haven’t tried but I’m sure you can!

[@krissifaith6709]

How many cinder blocks were required, do ya know? Thanks.

[@uditpuri7749]

how did you make the water reservoir not leak water? what did you use to seal the tiles and the base around the pebbles?

[@olivegreyavenue]

I needed to make corrections because we didn’t take all the right steps the first time. You should use a waterproofing system like the kerdi system before installing tiles! I made a follow up video about leaking a couple weeks ago so check that out too!

[@ezell7079]

This is absolutely amazing 👏

[@olivegreyavenue]

Ah thanks so much!

[@KreatyveGardenista]

This is incredible!!!! Two thumbs up & a pat on the back to you guys!! 👍🏾👍🏾 It looks beautiful 🤩🤩🤩 Would you mind sharing where you got the concrete tops from?

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you so much!! There are several links to everything in the description but here is where you can buy everything ltk.app.link/V57k7N2uEqb

[@KreatyveGardenista]

@@olivegreyavenue thank you! I am looking to build just planters & really like the "stucco" look you used!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you! I’m working on another one that’s just the planter right now! You can check it out on Instagram or it’ll come out here in a couple weeks 😊

[@KreatyveGardenista]

@@olivegreyavenue I will def do that thanks so much!!

[@katrinar9310]

Looks super great! Thanks for sharing. Blessings, -Kate

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks for watching!

[@joehayes5787]

Sorry if i missed this but how did you waterproof the cinder block?

[@trixiekirch434]

Looks great!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@edwardzo4371]

Thank you for replying to our questions btw! Do you recall how many gph your pump has?

[@edwardzo4371]

oh, I just saw the link you guys provided, looks like its 400 gph! Thanks again!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks for watching

[@brunagoncalves8672]

Amazing work! ✨

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@trido3815]

Hi Olivegrey, how is the battery holding up charge after 1 year?

[@thisisatrium]

bravo!!!!! fantastic work!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@MohamedMohamed-zk5wz]

Lovely

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@ossef9712]

Looks great! How’s the water proofing holding up in the pond?

[@olivegreyavenue]

Not well 😅 we’re working through solutions so I can update y’all on it when we figure it out 😊

[@anjanabanerjee2101]

Good job I love it.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@amanisamer]

This is really beautiful. This is exactly what I have been looking for. If you dont mind, I would like to make a small suggestion. I think it would be more amazing with some type of covering over the 3 fountain ends. Perhaps some decorative art to cover the pipes. I am definately going to use this idea for my yard.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you so much! My vision was to have the 3 raw pipes sticking out but that’s the beauty of these things is that you can add something you love to it!

[@amanisamer]

@@olivegreyavenue Agreed!

[@amanisamer]

What did your husband lay down for the bottom of the fountain bed area? Was that a flat piece of plywood?

[@olivegreyavenue]

@@amanisamer it was hardy-backer (cement board)

[@morgann3754]

Always seal with silicone so it's easier to remove

[@Leblueskee]

What's stopping that back wall from falling over ? Is there no concrete in between the Bricks? Also how come at the end the white is so discolored where the water flows from is it just wet? Looks super good! I wanna do something similar I think stuff like this makes such a huge improvement

[@olivegreyavenue]

The blocks are glued together. The traditional way is with mortar if you prefer to do the extra work. The water splashed up and got the stucco wet.

[@Leblueskee]

@@olivegreyavenue right I saw that you used glue it just seems like if there was any force on the wall it would fall over

[@olivegreyavenue]

@@Leblueskee it hasn’t for 2 years

[@kb4782]

@@olivegreyavenuecan you post a photo of it now somewhere?

[@edwardzo4371]

this looks beautiful!, did you guys put a sheet of cement board on the base of the fountain, below the tile? or laid the tile directly on the cinder block

[@olivegreyavenue]

We did cement board and if you do something like it, I would get waterproofing barrier like for a shower

[@edwardzo4371]

@@olivegreyavenue thank you, that makes sense!

[@clintarambula5733]

You need an access door and a drain behind for to empty and clean your fountain.

[@olivegreyavenue]

There is an access door for behind the piping but we decided to just clean it with a wet/dry vac since it’s so small

[@tjam4229]

How did you seal around the pump tubing and electrical cord so that water didn’t leak out?

[@olivegreyavenue]

We used flex seal

[@bloomwithmechi7427]

What part of Texas are y’all from? Just found your KZbin channel and loving everything!!?

[@olivegreyavenue]

Central Texas 😊

[@bloomwithmechi7427]

@@olivegreyavenue we are moving back to Houston and can not wait!

[@kindle7191]

Amazing! Love it.

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@amaunus]

how did you waterproof the inside of the fountain where you put the tile?

[@MyCrazyMachine]

Beautiful. How did the stucco hold up with weather and ground shifts? any cracks?

[@olivegreyavenue]

There are some hairline cracks where the blocks meet, otherwise it’s great!

[@MyCrazyMachine]

@@olivegreyavenue I'll be some Led colored lights would make the fountain look jaw dropping at night (under water or on walls) :o)

[@olivegreyavenue]

@@MyCrazyMachine that’s a great idea!

[@jonnyappleseed4723]

Cool project subbed

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you!

[@bridgetteflores984]

I noticed the embossed (I’m not sure if that’s the correct verbiage) tiles you used on the inside of the fountain aren’t listed, where did you find them? I’m in love with your work!

[@olivegreyavenue]

thanks so much! I found them at floor and decor!

[@theesaltyllama]

Did you only seal the pump hose at the spot where it goes through the tile into the cinderblock? I’m wondering if I’d have trouble with leaks from that spot. Or does the pump come with something to help prevent leaking there?

[@olivegreyavenue]

We just sealed it where it went through the cinderblock kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGOmnHqoZdJqrMU this might help answer some questions!

[@gracci01]

Would there be a way to hide the pump from view into the basin?

[@olivegreyavenue]

Yes, you could crest a basin of water below the visible one for it to sit in and pump the water up. There would need to be a drain that flows into it from the main basin. Hope that makes sense!

[@gracci01]

@@olivegreyavenue I think so. I use lets say a shower drain and have the water go into a lower basin where the pump is. Is there anything else looking back you would recommend to change? I’m using your exact plan to build one into an existing wall of the house

[@olivegreyavenue]

@@gracci01 I would use a water proofing membrane before tiling as this was not sufficient for holding water. Check out our video with an update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGOmnHqoZdJqrMU

[@johsua6936]

How many block did u used

[@xinrui-li]

this is awesome! I'm in the process of building a similar style but didn't figure out what materials to buy to start. So the external layer is white concrete or paint? thank you! keep up the good work!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thank you! The white layer is called surface bonding cement and all my supplies are linked here: liketk.it/3zIgf

[@xinrui-li]

@@olivegreyavenue Thank you so much for building this wonderful website and sharing the links!!! this is awesome!!!😍

[@olivegreyavenue]

@@xinrui-li oh you’re so welcome!

[@Nnnqqq689]

could you give me a link to the white paint /concrete powder?

[@olivegreyavenue]

Here’s the link to all my supplies! liketk.it/3zIgf

[@ellekim711]

I noticed in the finished fountain there’s some water soaking the stucco underneath the 3 pipes. Is that concerning?

[@olivegreyavenue]

That’s just splashback but I did a follow up video to address a leak kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGOmnHqoZdJqrMU

[@jaymanu8311]

Hi ya! What did you us as the base for the fountain before you installed the pebble tile ?

[@olivegreyavenue]

I needed to make corrections because we didn’t take all the right steps the first time. You should use a waterproofing system like the kerdi system before installing tiles! I made a follow up video about leaking a couple weeks ago so check that out too!

[@emeraldcromwell8719]

Beautiful! thanks for posting. What did you use for the base of the fountain?

[@olivegreyavenue]

We just used the pebbles and sand as the base! Thanks for watching!

[@bbdawn1]

Love it!

[@olivegreyavenue]

Thanks!