Author at POND Trade Magazine

Tom Graham

Tom built his first pond in the early 70s. After graduating college with a degree in Psychology, he spent a summer with a friend building ponds as a small business. With little experience and no guidance, he quickly decided one summer of that was enough. (There were no companies making pond specific products at that time.) He went into sales in the home audio business, then the Audio Visual industry, eventually founding a successful AV Rental Company, and a Pro Audio Business. Later he worked a few years selling computers and consulting, then became the Sales and Production Manager for KOI USA Magazine, which he did for 15 years, with his wife Cindy. When the Koi Club of San Diego was founded in 1985 Tom and Cindy joined, and both have served as President at least once, and Tom was the Koi Show Chairman for three of their shows. They also belong to the Southern California Water Garden Society, the Inland Koi Society and the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club. Tom has been consulting retailers and manufactures in the garden pond trade for many years and has a great passion for the industry. He has been a guest speaker at many industry events, written dozens of articles and has had many of his photos published in a number of magazines, books, calenders and guides. In July of 2008 Tom (and Cindy) purchased Pondkeeper/Pond & Garden Lifestyle magazine, and re-launched it as Pond Biz Magazine in November of 2008. With the July issue of 2009, the title evolved to become Pond Trade Magazine. The magazine has seen steady growth and Tom now serves as the Owner and Editor.

iPad Selling

By Tom Graham / March 1, 2013 / 0 Comments

Do you use modern technology when pitching to customers? If not, your business could be suffering. Make new electronics like the iPad, wireless hot spots, and credit card readers part of your sales approach and watch your numbers soar.

NOW – A Web Directory – Just About Us – PONDSources.com

By Tom Graham / March 1, 2012 / 0 Comments

In the huge world of the Internet, getting found is job #1. Now our industry has its own directory, and you can be included for free or cheap.

The Watergarden Koi – Sarasa Comets

By Tom Graham / November 1, 2011 / 2 Comments

Goldfish are a better choice for water gardens as an alternative to koi than you may realize. Some of these striking goldfish have the intense colors of koi. Sarasa Comets are similar to Kohaku, and Shubunkins are like Sanke. Learn how goldfish are also a good product to feature for retail stores and pond contractors.

Publisher’s Perspective

By Tom Graham / September 1, 2011 / 0 Comments

[img:1] Well, the popular **Product of the Year Challenge** is Back for 2011 – Now is the time to enter your new products, or recommend new products we should include in this year’s Challenge. Find the complete details and downloadable form at pondtrademag.com. If you released new products in 2010 or 2011 sign up before […]

Universal Appeal of Fountains

By Tom Graham / May 1, 2011 / 0 Comments

Fountains have captivated us for thousands of years, and they are both practical and beautiful. This self-powered, lighted, remote controlled invention makes it easy to add a fountain to any pond or water feature. It is easy to program and, as a bonus to its beauty, it adds aeration and water movement that is critical to the balance of every living pond.

NAPP Holds Its First National Show

By Tom Graham / May 1, 2010 / 0 Comments

POND Trade Magazine participated in the National Association of Pond Professionals (NAPP) first national event. NAPP’s Water Feature Conference & Expo–learn more about this inaugural event.

Pagel’s Pots

By Tom Graham / March 2, 2010 / 0 Comments

Walter Pagel’s is well known in the water gardening industry. Tom was fortunate last year to visit him at his home. Walter has dozens of pots in his backyard that have their own microcosm. Take a look at the tiny aquatic plants in these pots.

IWGS Hall of Fame Inductees 2009

By Tom Graham / March 2, 2010 / 0 Comments

The International Water Garden and Water Lily Society (IWGS) inducted two new entrants into the prestigious IWGS Hall of Fame. Mr. Pairat Songpanich, Thailand and Sir Ghillean Prance, United Kingdom are world-renowned in
their field.

The Hybrid Koi Pond – A Mixture of Various Pond Design Techniques

By Tom Graham / August 13, 2009 / 0 Comments

Many pond builders are now exploring ways to combine technologies and techniques from the koi pond world with the water garden domain to create what are often called hybrid ponds. Learn about what they have in common and what they do not. Easy affordable maintenance was a key desire for the homeowners of the pond featured in this article.

Ewing Installs Rain Capture Pondless Waterfall

By Tom Graham / July 3, 2009 / 0 Comments

Two companies join forces to install and promote rain water harvesting, a pondless water feature, and drip irrigation at 5 stores. See how these three different technologies can all work together. It is more complicated than you might think.