Anthony Archer-Wills is in the house! I met Anthony and his lovely wife Pauline last year at the IWGS symposium in Pennsylvania. I sat next to them at dinner, and I went out on a limb and asked him if he would be willing to write an article for us. To my delight, his answer …
Aquaponics refers to a system that grows fish and plants together. Plants use fish waste as fertilizer, and in most instances, they filter the water to provide good water quality for the fish. This system is fascinating to a variety of people and groups — professional gardeners, aquaculturists, aquarium keepers, water gardeners, organic gardeners, tinkerers, …
Over the last 10 years, we have been offering pond tours during the summer months. Our calling to start organizing these tours was clear. Raised on a dairy farm in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, my brother Chad and I learned a lot about the land and the value of hard work. Always comfortable with the …
Most people believe that if their pond’s water is clear, it is also clean and viable. However, this is not always the case. It’s important to know that biological and chemical changes in water are often not visible. Only through proper testing can the true quality of water be determined. Poor water quality leads to …
A few months ago, I got a call from a gentleman named Roger who had just bought a house and wanted a pond in his backyard. He had kept fish before, but it was some time ago. Roger also wanted an in-ground spa next to the pond. His friend Jeff had created a dimensional drawing, …
Best Pond Practices | Filtration Design in a Desert Koi Pond Read More »
In the May/June 2018 issue, I wrote about how pond fish carry various good and bad “bugs” at all times. As I discussed, we cannot sterilize a fish or a pond to rid them of these bugs. Our efforts in pond health management should be focused on building the strength of the pond fish so …
Mixing Koi Populations, Part Two | Preventive Quarantine Protocol Read More »
When a longtime client moves out of town to a lake community, and the new, roughly landscaped property is already equipped with a pondless waterfall and bubbler, what more could he possibly need? A pond, of course! This particular client had always had koi ponds on his property, and he said he missed sitting next …
Pond Design | Natural Pond Blends Subtle with Spectacular Read More »
All are invited to the friendly state of Texas for this year’s International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society (IWGS) Symposium from Sept. 13—16, 2018. If you find yourself wondering why this year’s symposium is being held in a somewhat remote town in West Texas, you’re not alone. It’s an area better known for cowboys, ranching …
Anyone who has a love for water in the garden will be aware of the many ways it can enhance the property and the quality of life of the beholder. Although a pond is technically a hole in the ground filled with water, it is so much more than that. Evolution of a Pond Builder …
Building on the Pond’s Edge with Anthony Archer-Wills Read More »
There’s a lot to be said for all the phone calls and thank-you letters that tell the stories of how much clients loves their pond. But nothing says, “I completed my task and built something my client is totally engaged in,” quite like the flurry of activity around a pond’s perimeter. Most ponds are encompassed …
