No stone is exactly the same, and each customer envisions its use differently. That’s what makes my job as a stone harvester and supplier so interesting — knowing where a rock or boulder came from and how it was used to create something beautiful and natural looking for others to enjoy! Hopefully sharing my perspective …
by John Mark Courtney & Victoria Holderer, Kind Earth Growers Nothing quite compares to the tranquility of sitting next to a pond with a hot cup of coffee at sunrise. Listening, you can hear some groggy frogs croaking their last calls of a long night and a cheery good-morning whistle from a male cardinal perched …
Increase Pollinator and Wildlife Diversity With Native Plants Read More »
We had a customer reach out due to two unsightly, leaking cement waterfalls flanking her backyard staircase and she wanted to replace them with natural water features. After a quick meeting, I knew exactly what I was going to do: artistic fountainscapes. Why? Well, I could use some carved boulders from Big Bend National Park here …
Carved Boulders Deliver Natural Water Feature Features Read More »
Second place is far from defeat — instead, it’s tangible proof of greatness and a solid motivator for future success. Check out the 2021 Water Artisans of the Year runners-up in this year’s contest on the following pages. POND Trade magazine is proud to host the independent, unsponsored Water Artisans of the Year contest on …
Runners-Up for the 2021 Water Artisans of the Year Read More »
In a year that saw record-breaking property values all over the place, 2021 also saw the most-ever entries in POND Trade’s Water Artisans of the Year contest — almost 70! Coincidence? We think not! Just like 2020, many pond-loving clients found themselves spending more time at home, which naturally meant more home improvement and enhancement …
POND Trade’s 2021 Water Artisans of the Year Winners Read More »
Choose Smaller and More Profitable Jobs I started out in the pool and water features industry in the early 1980s (before some of you were born!). Early on, if there was a mistake that could be made, I’d find a way to make it. Then, somehow, I found a way to make it again. If …
When I began my career more than 35 years ago, little information existed about most things aquatic compared to today. Instead of being just a click away, information about individual plants was typically provided via a photocopy through the mail. I would send a check to cover the cost (about 7 to 10 cents per …
The 2021 International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society (IWGS) once again held its New Waterlily Competition at Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, Florida. This year, we expanded our maximum number of entries from 25 to 30, allowing more hybridizers from around the world the opportunity to submit their best new waterlilies for evaluation. The IWGS …
The 2022 International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society (IWGS) Symposium is coming back as a live, in-person event from Aug. 24 – 28 in Naples, Florida. This is a special symposium, as we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the New Waterlily Competition. The three-day event features educational seminars, guided tours of the Naples Botanic …
In June 2021, Backyard Getaway was asked to renovate an existing water feature at the entry of a high-end condominium on Siesta Key Beach in Florida. Working for a condo association or corporation is a bit different than working for a homeowner; instead of having one or two people approve a design, making changes and …