I’ve been involved in the waterscape and landscape industries since the late-1980s. I was just a young kid back then, going from house to house trying to make a dollar with a skateboard and a mower. Over the adventurous years that have since passed, I have seen the facets of both of these industries grow […]
Landscape Lighting Design and Tips to Illuminate Your Waterscape Read More »
A pond vacuum is a valuable, universal tool found in the toolbox of most pond contractors, landscapers, maintenance personnel and other industry professionals. OASE, a global manufacturer in the fountain and water gardening industry, debuted the first pond vacuum on the market, the PondoVac, about 15 years ago. The company has since released three updates
Product Development: The Brains Behind the Operation Read More »
As the owner of a pond design and installation company, I am always on the lookout for ways to market our “aquatic art.” Over the years, we have done billboards, mailers, magazines, newspapers, social media, flyers, home shows and more — all with decent success. But nothing compares to the results we’ve seen with outdoor
Self-Guided Pond Tour Provides Low Maintenance, High Reward Read More »
The first annual Water Artisans of the Year contest is in full swing, with seven highly qualified professionals — including a few “big fish” reeled in from around the pond and water gardening industries — to serve as this year’s judges. POND Trade magazine officially began accepting entries from professional contractors in late August. The
Judges Selected for POND Trade’s Water Artisans of the Year Contest Read More »
This phrase was, no doubt, born on a long forgotten playground generations ago. It humorously calls into question the veracity of a child whose exaggerations have exceeded the acceptable norm. A classic example from my childhood is a fellow by the name of Marty. His brother was something else. According to Marty, his super-sibling was
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire! Resist Falling for Customers’ Tall Tales Read More »
When a designer/builder sells a concept to a homeowner to construct a vessel with the intent of having people swim in it — but instead of using chemicals to treat the water, the swimming water will be treated with biological filtration — what should we call this vessel? Two terms are being bandied about in the
Swimming Ponds vs. Natural Swimming Pools Read More »
What are your early memories of having fun in the water? Playing in the creek in your hometown park; fishing in the farm pond at a family reunion; swimming at a lake during a family vacation? For me, I grew up alongside a river and near gravel quarries in northern Illinois. I can’t even remember
Swim Ponds Provide Good, Clean Fun Read More »
A microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area. It refers to either a zone of many square miles or only a few square feet. Microclimates are why people living around a bay have more moderate temperatures than those inland and folks on opposite sides of a mountain have
Conquer the Weather with Microclimates Read More »
Fruiting shrubbery and flowers can be used in landscaping a water feature just as easily as traditional shrubs or grasses and they can look just as amazing. You’re going to landscape your waterfall and pond, so why not do it with edible trees, shrubs and groundcovers? Here are some that work well for me. A
Have Your Waterfall and Eat It, Too! Read More »
Closing the deal. Making the sale. Getting the customer to say “yes.” That is why we are here, right? I am a guy who loves ponds. It is an obsession and it’s my favorite hobby at home. At work, however, it’s not about my hobby, but rather my career that pays for my hobby. Translating
Stop Wasting Time and Start Closing Deals Read More »