Pond Care Tips & Guides, from the field.
Expert advice and honest insights from 18 years of building water features in New England.
Showing 1 to 15 of 87 articles
Clay Bottom Pond or Pond Liner? An Honest Answer for New England Homeowners
Clay or a liner? Clay suits large earthen ponds on clay soil. Here is when each works, why backyard ponds use liners, and how to build on a high water table.
Natural Swimming Pond Cost in Massachusetts and New England (2026)
What a natural swimming pond costs in New England, from an 18 by 25 foot recreational pond to a 30 by 40 foot swim pond, and what moves the price.
Natural Swimming Pond vs Chlorine Pool: An Honest Comparison for New England
How a natural swimming pond compares to a chlorine pool on water quality, looks, upkeep, winter care and running costs, and who each one suits.
Is Your Yard Right for a Natural Swimming Pond? Space, Sun, Slope and Soil
The site questions Shawn checks before designing a natural swimming pond in New England: room for the regeneration zone, sun, trees, slope, soil, access and permits.
How to Choose a Natural Swimming Pool Builder in New England
Natural swimming pool builders are rare in New England. The questions to ask any natural pool company before you sign, and the red flags to watch for.
Bringing an Old Natural Swimming Pond Back: What a Deep Clean and Restoration Involves
What happens when a natural swimming pond goes years without a deep clean, what overcrowded fish do to the water, and how a professional restoration brings it back.
Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria: The Winter Pond Step Most Owners Skip
Why cold water beneficial bacteria matter under the ice, and how netting, one open hole, and proper pump shutdown set your pond up for spring.
Pond Lighting: How to Light a Waterfall and Pond for Night
Pond lighting done right doubles the time you enjoy your water feature. Learn where lights go, the shadow play principle, and mistakes to avoid.
Why Fall Is the Best Time to Build a Pond in New England
Fall is the best time to build a pond in New England. Cooler soil, stronger plant roots, no spring waitlist, and a waterfall ready on day one.
What a Pond Skimmer Does and Why Every Pond Needs One
A pond skimmer catches leaves before they sink, protects your pump, and cuts algae. Learn how skimmers work, where they go, and when to replace one.
Pond Liner Seams and Cheap Liners: Why Ponds Leak and How Pros Prevent It
Why PVC, big-box, and preformed pond liners crack and leak, what fish-safe EPDM looks like, and how a professional liner seam stays watertight.
How to Make a Pond Waterfall Look Natural
Why most backyard waterfalls look fake and how pros fix it: character boulders, tiered shelves, framing stones for sound, and rock setting that lasts.
Pond Pump Sizing: Turnover Rate, Head Height, and Why Small Pumps Cause Big Problems
Learn how to size a pond pump the right way: the one-turnover-per-hour rule, head height, friction loss, and the signs your pump is too small.
Pond Aeration in Summer: Why Oxygen Matters and How Bottom Diffusers Help
Warm water holds less oxygen just as fish need more. Learn how pond aeration and bottom diffusers protect your pond through New England summers.
Tap Water in Your Pond: Chlorine, Fish Safety, and Smart Auto-Fill Valves
City tap water can harm pond fish and kill beneficial bacteria. Learn how to top off safely, rinse filters right, and use an auto-fill valve wisely.