Every so often, an issue of POND Trade comes together with such synergy that it reminds meexactly why I fell in love with this industry — and the November / December 2025 issue is a perfect example. Across every story — from monumental pond builds to quiet moments of aquatic artistry— the common thread is …
What I’m about to share with you changed everything about how I view small-business efficiency. And if you really understand what I’m telling you, it’ll change yours too. Look, I need you to read this next sentence carefully because it matters more than you think: The contractors who dominate 2026 are making decisions right now, …
The Contractor’s Guide to Success with Automation Read More »
Why Oxygen is the Heartbeat of Your Pond Still, quiet water can be deceiving. What appears calm on the surface may actually signal the slow suffocation of the ecosystem below. When a pond or lake begins to run out of air, or dissolved oxygen (DO), the consequences unfold steadily—and often silently—until the damage becomes impossible …
What if I told you the satisfaction of designing a functional pond, placing rockwork, pruning plants and feeding your fish need not diminish with the inevitable change of seasons? What if I also told you there is a hobby so comparable in core principles to ponds and water gardens that the similarities are uncanny, with …
Aquascaping: The Indoor Hobby That Mirrors Pond Design Read More »
When the client first approached us, they had one dream: a recreational pond that felt less like a pool and more like a living, breathing aquatic retreat. Not just water in the backyard, but an experience: A backyard oasis like no other. They wanted a place to relax, recharge, and share a lifestyle built around …
When Gary Vaynerchuk showed up at his father Sasha’s 400,000-gallon pond build in New Jersey, he didn’t just watch the machines and marvel at the boulders. He spent time with a circle of pond professionals and manufacturers, answering questions and dropping actionable advice. The impromptu Q&A ended up being less about koi and more about …
Gary Vee’s Social Media Playbook for Pond Builders Read More »
How Friendship Sparked a Once-in-a Lifetime Build People see the machinery, the 20-foot waterfall, the 400,000 gallons—and they assume the story begins with blueprints. It didn’t. It began with a sales lead that didn’t close, a bottle of wine, and a friendship. This is the story of the Vaynerchuk pond. The Origin of a 400,000-Gallon …
Not every garden has a giant Victoria waterlily, but that doesn’t mean they can’t join the fun. Enter the Featherweight Bracket—a playful division of the Waterlily Weigh-Off where smaller lilies take center stage. These petite contenders, with leaves just a few inches across, may not hold a person (or even a pumpkin), but they sure …
The Featherweight Waterlily Weigh-Off: Small Lilies, Big Laughs Read More »
From Experiment to International Phenomenon How It Began What started as a playful social media experiment at Denver Botanic Gardens has now blossomed into an international competition that captures the imagination of plant lovers around the world. The Waterlily Weigh-Off—our annual contest to test the buoyant strength of giant Victoria waterlily leaves wrapped up its …
Last year at this time, we were beginning construction on a massive grotto, waterfall and rain curtain in Palos Park, Illinois. While the winter started out mild, we work in the Chicago area. We knew what was coming. Some might shake their heads at starting such an ambitious build late in the season but at …