July / August 2025

July/August 2025 POND Trade

July / August 2025

Sweet Summertime There’s something magical about summer pond season. Whether it’s the hum of a well-running pump, the flicker of landscape lights on a warm night, or the quiet joy of watching koi glide through still water, this is the time when all your hard work comes to life. You’re the creators of these moments—the …

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hardy pink water lily

Pollinator-Friendly Pond Plants

 Add color and attract beneficial visitors with these pollinator-friendly pond plants. Pollinator Fun Facts – Small Creatures Big Impact Pollinator-friendly plants attract some amazing creatures. Learn more about these small but impactful animals, primarily insects and birds, that move pollen from one flower to the next. Read more: Learn how to attract pollinators to your …

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WaterVac featured

A Solo Contractors Secret Weapon: The WaterVac

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 …

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Nan Lian Garden Pavillion Bridge

Water Feature Design: A Historical Context

Creating lasting experiences for clients is one of the key driving forces behind the water feature design profession. Water features offer a form of artistic expression that may outlast nearly every other type of human-crafted art. Shaping water—whether through ponds, waterfalls, fountains, streams, canals, aqueducts or lakes—is a high-level craft practiced by societies that have …

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Attracting pollinators with milkweed

How to Attract Pollinators to Your Water Garden

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 …

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Formal koi pond renovation

Designing a Formal Koi Pond

In the heart of Richmond, Virginia, a residential property underwent a remarkable transformation. What began as a maintenance challenge for a koi enthusiast evolved into a full-scale, formal aquatic showcase. At the center of it all: nearly 200 adult koi. This exceptional home had long featured a large, picturesque pond. However, despite its beauty, the …

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