Picture this: a small backyard centered around a beautiful koi pond where colorful, charismatic fish attract the eye like a framed painting come to life. The space is wrapped in undulating garden beds detailed with mountain stones, soft moss, ferns and blooming azaleas. Resting on pedestals throughout the landscape are tiny trees — bonsai — […]
Bonsai & Koi: A Perfect Partnership for Pond Enthusiasts Read More »
From our very first meeting, it was clear this project would be something special. The homeowners were a young, enthusiastic couple who had purchased their property, several acres of woodland along the shores of Lake Michigan, a few years prior. Since then, they had been thoughtfully developing the landscape season by season, moving intentionally from
A Promise Set in Stone: Koi Pond with Multiple Streams Read More »
After years of offering personal, local expertise in pond window development, we are proud to introduce Pond Portals to the greater koi community. Pond Portals is a small, family-owned business focused on providing high-quality koi pond viewing windows made in America. Each kit includes a stainless-steel frame, stainless-steel retainer, glass, sealant, fasteners and more. Clear
Introducing Pond Portals: Koi Pond Viewing Windows Read More »
Chicago’s North Shore has long been home to passionate pond enthusiasts, but few realize they have access to what many consider the region’s best-kept secret. Koi & More Pond Shop in Highland Park, Illinois, represents the perfect blend of traditional pond-keeping wisdom and modern business innovation, serving both the seasoned ponder and educating today’s new
Koi & More Pond Shop Charts a New Course Read More »
POND Trade Magazine is proud to announce the return of its Water Artisans of the Year (WATY) contest for 2025. This annual celebration of innovative and artistic water-feature creations is known as the “Academy Awards of the Pond Industry.” Through this prestigious competition, we showcase the talent, creativity, and craftsmanship of pond builders and designers.
Every spring in the mountains of Niigata, Japan, a quiet but extraordinary ritual begins. In the shadow of snow-capped peaks, amidst neatly arranged rice paddies and cedar forests, generations of koi breeders rise before dawn. Their lives revolve around one singular pursuit: crafting the perfect koi. As The Koi Partner, I’ve had the rare privilege
The Art of Koi Breeding in Japan Read More »
A koi show always seems to make the hobby complete. After all these years in the industry, I still find them fun—but walking up to the show site in the Silverton parking lot in Las Vegas this year was truly exciting. I’ve never been to a show with more than 100 show tanks before. It
All-American Koi Show 2025 Recap Read More »
As a sole proprietor with no employees, tackling pond cleanouts, especially those larger than a few thousand gallons, can be an intimidating task. Over time, I’ve developed strategies to make the process more manageable. One of the most impactful tools I’ve added to my routine is the WaterVac. When maintaining a pond, balancing aquatic health
A Solo Contractors Secret Weapon: The WaterVac Read More »
For koi lovers, there is nothing quite like a koi show. It is a special time to meet friends, learn from each other, and celebrate the beauty of koi. Whether you are just starting in this hobby or you have many years of experience, koi shows are a wonderful way to enjoy and grow your
Understanding Koi Shows Read More »
A well-planted water garden is an oasis of peace and stillness. But take a closer look and you’ll find a vibrant, breathing ecosystem supporting a dazzling array of life. Some of that life has been intentionally added—fish, aquatic plants, maybe even turtles. But what about the unsung heroes responsible for the bursting blooms? These visitors
How to Attract Pollinators to Your Water Garden Read More »
