For better or for worse, the pond industry operates with minimal governing codes and laws. But according to Kent Wallace, the health of the industry would be well-served by a few common guidelines! Cater your next pond installation to Kent’s numbers and watch your success rate soar.
While they may not wine and dine like we do, the plants in your pond reproduce with frequency that would make Hugh Hefner blush! Nature’s bountiful procreation strategy provides big opportunities for growers — if they know how to harness it. Do you know the differences between division, viviparous parenthood and tissue culture? If not, be sure to read Paula Biles’ story on the romance that is plant propagation.
In our last issue, Jason Lenox wrote about a long drive, a rural farmhouse and a customer with enormous ideas. Now, in the second half of a two-part series, the owner of Ponds Inc. describes how he turned a large-scale plan into a pond installation that surpassed even his own expectations!
For many koi lovers, koi appreciation is about admiring the juxtaposition of colors. When it comes to Hikari Muji, however, all of the beauty is conveyed in just one hue. Check out Taro Kodama’s story to learn about the unique characteristics of this monochrome breed … and how to make simple beauty a part of your pond or koi business.
There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing your well-maintained pond littered with bird poop. And thanks to the Common Grackle, many Midwestern pond owners experience this nightmare scenario on repeat! If you’re fed up with disgusting “presents” from local blackbirds, check out Jamie Beyer’s explanation (and advice).
Even the most experienced koi keeper or water gardener can be intimidated by natural ponds and lakes. But don’t let their size fool you: they are an oft-untapped profit center with an easier learning curve than you might think. Follow Rick Weidman’s advice to turn the natural water bodies in your area into new growth for your business!