One quiet morning on my way to work, I noticed what looked like a beautiful white dove near my shop. As I got closer, I realized it wasn’t just any bird — it had a small band around its leg. That’s when it hit me: this was a racing pigeon. What struck me most was […]
Beyond the Pond: A New Passion Takes Flight Read More »
We all know that over time, life takes many turns — in school, relationships, family and careers, for example. Who we were when we were 10 and 18 years old are typically not the same people we grow into during our 30s, 50s and beyond. Ever since I was young and growing up in suburban
Beyond the Pond: Search and Rescue Read More »
Why grow giant pumpkins? I ask myself this every year. I started gardening more than 30 years ago, about the same time I built my first pond.
Beyond the Pond: Growing Giant Pumpkins Read More »
This is a new series that showcases what pond builders like to do in their free time when they’re not building ponds. Since my childhood in the suburbs of Ohio, I have possessed an unwavering passion for water. As far back as 1984, I remember when I pleasantly surprised my parents by creating a 3-foot-wide
Beyond the Pond: Antique Car Collecting Read More »
Why shallow water plants matter When you picture a beautiful pond, what do you think of? Water lilies in bloom. A bubbling stream. Reflections of blue skies and green trees. Bright fish moving below the waterline. Behind that picture-perfect scene, something else is happening—quietly, at the water’s edge. The Overlooked Zone That Does the Heavy
The Power of the Pond Edge: Shallow Water Plants Read More »
Inside an international pond build in Belize It all started with a phone call. Our distributor had received an unexpected inquiry, a call from Belize. On the other end was a man named Stuart, asking about pond materials for a proposed project in a private community called Blue Creek. The questions quickly grew more complex
Pond Building in Belize Read More »
In an increasingly urbanised and technology-driven world, opportunities for children to connect meaningfully with nature are becoming increasingly limited. In Australia, school environments are often constrained by safety, structure, and space, leaving fewer opportunities for unstructured exploration and discovery. Yet it is often these experiences of interacting with water, observing wildlife, and learning through curiosity
Building a Living Classroom: The Kallangur State Primary School Ecosystem Pond Project Read More »
A Deeper Dive With an Awards Writer Awards are rarely urgent. They sit in the background as a feel-good endeavor to get to later. After this job. After the next one. When things slow down. Next year. Without the right processes and mindset, next year often does not come. I have worked with pond builders
What Industry Awards Do for Pond Builders and the Industry Read More »
Introducing the Water Artisan of the Year Awards Committee As the water feature and pond industry continues to evolve, so must the standards that define excellence within it. In an effort to further elevate the integrity, transparency and prestige of the Water Artisan of the Year (WATY) Awards, POND Trade is proud to announce the
The Deep End is a hands-on koi pond build workshop running Tuesday through Thursday, leading directly into the All-American Koi Show weekend. This immersive koi pond construction experience is designed for hobbyists, builders, and koi enthusiasts who want real-world pond-building knowledge and meaningful industry connections. Participants will work together to build a functional koi pond