TIPS & GUIDES

Blog

Expert advice on koi ponds, waterfalls, maintenance, aquatic plants, and more from the Garden State Koi team.

All (100)

DIY (2)

Fish Care (9)

Guides (15)

Koi Care (1)

Koi Ponds (4)

Lighting (1)

Maintenance (17)

Plant Care (9)

Plants & Fish (1)

Pond Building (18)

Pond Design (3)

Pondless (3)

Pricing (1)

Recreational (1)

Seasonal (12)

Water Features (3)

Pond drained down for a full drain and clean service with hoses in place

Maintenance5 min read

How to Detect a Leak in Your Koi Pond: A Step-by-Step Guide

Find and fix a koi pond leak step by step: rule out evaporation, then check the edges, stream, plumbing, and liner. Expert guide from Garden State Koi.

Garden State Koi crew excavating and plumbing a new backyard pond in New York

Guides8 min read

Complete Guide to Building a Backyard Pond in New York

Everything to know about building a backyard koi pond in New York: planning, permits, the build process, timeline, real costs, and the ecosystem approach.

Koi swimming in a clear pond beneath a Japanese maple in midsummer

Maintenance7 min read

Summer Pond Care: Keeping Your Water Feature Healthy in the Heat

Summer pond care guide: water temperature, oxygen levels, feeding, and algae prevention. Expert tips from Garden State Koi for NY, NJ, and PA pond owners.

Spring blooms surrounding a newly installed backyard water feature

Seasonal6 min read

Why Spring Is the Best Time to Install a Water Feature

Why spring is the ideal season to install a koi pond or waterfall in NY: a full growing season, better crew availability, and a mature ecosystem by summer.

Koi and goldfish swimming beneath water lilies in a clear ecosystem pond

Guides7 min read

Pond Water Quality 101: Understanding Your Ecosystem

Learn how pond water quality works: the nitrogen cycle, beneficial bacteria, water testing, and fixes for green water, foam, and odor from our pond experts.

Ecosystem koi pond with marginal plantings and natural stone edging

Pricing6 min read

How Much Does a Koi Pond Cost in New York?

Transparent koi pond costs in New York, from backyard ponds starting at $9,995 to large showpiece builds. Real pricing from a Certified Aquascape Contractor.

Garden State Koi technician rinsing a pond during a spring cleanout

Maintenance5 min read

Spring Pond Maintenance Checklist for NY Homeowners

Complete spring pond opening guide — when to start, step-by-step drain and clean process, and what to watch for. From Garden State Koi's maintenance experts.

Pondless disappearing waterfall vanishing into a decorative gravel bed

Guides5 min read

Koi Pond vs. Pondless Waterfall: Which Is Right for You?

Comparing ecosystem koi ponds and pondless waterfalls — cost, maintenance, space requirements, and lifestyle fit. Expert advice from Garden State Koi.

Koi pond planted with water lilies, marginal irises and rushes along the edge

Plants & Fish9 min read

Best Pond Plants for a Koi Pond Ecosystem

The best pond plants for a koi pond ecosystem in zone 6: oxygenators, floaters, marginals, and hardy lilies, how many you need, and what koi will eat.

Koi pond with stepping stones and a bed of summer annuals in bloom

Guides5 min read

Eco-Friendly Backyard: Sustainable Pond Design Tips for a Greener Space

Sustainable pond design: natural filtration, native planting, low-energy pumps and rainwater capture that keep the water clear without chemicals.

A family dog resting safely on the stone path beside a backyard pond

Pond Building5 min read

Backyard Ponds: Safety Tips for Kids and Pets

Practical backyard pond safety tips for kids and pets: shelf depth, secure edging, fencing, lighting, and the supervision habits that keep everyone safe.

Autumn leaves surrounding a Garden State Koi backyard pond as the seasons change

Maintenance5 min read

How Seasonal Changes Shape Effective Pond Care Strategies

Summer Management: Combat heat stress in fish by providing shade and ensuring sufficient oxygenation.

Pond coated in string algae and leaf debris before a spring cleanout

Seasonal5 min read

Prevent Pond Algae Naturally: 7 Steps

How to stop string algae and green water in your koi pond, naturally. Beneficial bacteria, plants, shade, and aeration tips from Garden State Koi.

Three Mongolian basalt columns bubbling over polished river rock on a bluestone patio

Water Features5 min read

Elevate Your Landscape – The Art Of Fountainscapes And Custom Waterfalls

Fountainscapes and custom waterfalls: design options, lighting, season-by-season care and what moving water does for a garden.

Ceramic urn fountainscape surrounded by perennials and natural boulders

Guides5 min read

What Are The Secrets To Creating An Enchanting Fountainscape In Your Backyard?

Designing a fountainscape: choosing the location, picking a style that suits the house, and planting around it so it looks original to the garden.

Custom koi pond with stepping stones set among mature aquatic plantings

Plant Care5 min read

How Can Aquatic Plants Elevate Your Custom Pond Design In New York

How aquatic plants earn their place in a New York pond: oxygen, natural filtration, surface shade and habitat, plus which species suit zone 6.

Multi-tier pondless waterfall running through a shaded woodland setting

Pondless5 min read

How To Transform Your Outdoor Space With A Pondless Waterfall

Pondless waterfall installation: how the hidden reservoir works, why there is no open water to maintain, and what the build actually involves.

Freshly excavated pond basin marking out the shape of a planned backyard pond

Pond Building5 min read

Planning a Backyard Pond: 2026 Guide

Planning a backyard pond in NY, NJ or PA? Size, budget, location, permits, and the timeline to expect, from Garden State Koi's design team.

Stacked slate urn fountain on a river rock basin in a backyard garden

Pond Design5 min read

12 Creative Backyard Pond Ideas

Twelve backyard pond design ideas that wow guests, from naturalistic koi ponds to pondless waterfalls, lighting, and disappearing fountains.

Koi pond with a large feature boulder and weathered driftwood accent

Pond Design5 min read

Can Custom Pond Design Truly Enrich Your Outdoor Aesthetic?

Formal pond or naturalistic pond? How the two differ in design, planting, wildlife and upkeep, and which one suits your garden and your patience.

Koi pond and waterfall lit by warm underwater and landscape lighting at night

Lighting5 min read

How-To Light Up Your Koi Pond – Beautiful Solutions For Nighttime Serenity

Koi pond lighting: choosing fixtures rated for submersion, aiming them at the falls rather than the surface, and wiring the run safely.

Child and golden retriever watching koi from the stone edge of a pond

Fish Care5 min read

Koi Fish Care: 10 Essential Tips

How to care for koi fish year-round. Feeding, water quality, pond depth, winter survival, and disease prevention from Garden State Koi.

Fall foliage above a stone waterfall on a Garden State Koi pond

Maintenance5 min read

What Seasonal Pond Maintenance Practices Are Essential For Optimal Health?

Seasonal pond maintenance season by season: what changes for koi and plants through spring, summer, fall and winter, and what to do each time.

Blooming water lilies and marginal plants covering the surface of a koi pond

Plant Care5 min read

Unusual Pond Plants: Design and Care Guide

A design and care guide to less common pond plants: planting depths, feeding, pruning, and invasives. Looking for the core ecosystem list? Start here first.

Backyard koi pond design with a layered rock waterfall and lush plantings

Koi Ponds5 min read

Koi Pond Design: Backyard Guide

Design a beautiful backyard koi pond. Size, depth, filtration, plants, rockwork, and lighting tips from Garden State Koi's certified designers.

Natural stone pond waterfall cascading around driftwood and flowering plants

Water Features5 min read

7 Benefits of a Pond Waterfall

Why a waterfall transforms your pond: aeration, algae control, sound, wildlife, and value. Installation tips from Garden State Koi.

Stepping stones and aquatic plantings edging a koi pond

Plant Care5 min read

What Unique Pond Planting Guide Will Transform Your Tuxedo Park Outdoor Space?

Planting a pond in Tuxedo Park, NY: choosing species for shade and grade, arranging them for texture and color, and carrying them through winter.

Liner and underlayment being set during a backyard pond build

Pond Building5 min read

Why Should Spring Valley Residents Follow These Successful Pond Building Tips?

Pond building in Spring Valley, NY: planning, material choice, construction technique and the maintenance plan to settle before you break ground.

Finished pond waterfall framed by new plantings after a full redesign

Pond Building5 min read

Are You Ready To Revitalize Your Pine Island Outdoor Space With A New Pond Design?

Planning a pond in Pine Island, NY? What the black dirt, a high water table and site access mean for your design, and how the build actually runs.

Pond with clear water and clean stone edging after a spring cleanout

Maintenance5 min read

How Can Airmont Residents Prepare Their Spring Pond For Awakening?

Spring pond opening in Airmont, NY: water testing, cleanout, plant pruning and the equipment checks to run before the fish become active.

Garden State Koi crew setting stone and liner during a pond installation

Pond Building5 min read

Garden State Koi – Orange County’s Choice for Koi Pond Building

Koi pond building in Orange County, NY. Design, excavation, filtration and stocking from a Warwick company that has built ponds here since 1991.

Fountainscape built into a raised stone garden bed with aquatic plantings

Pond Building5 min read

How Can Monticello Residents Find Inspiration For Their Spring Pond Project?

Planning a spring pond project in Monticello, NY. Working with Sullivan County terrain, tree cover and grade to design a pond that fits the site.

Sustainable ecosystem pond planted with natives and filtered without chemicals

Koi Ponds5 min read

Is Your Pond In New Paltz Eco-Friendly And Sustainable For Spring?

Making a New Paltz pond more sustainable: assessing water health, cutting chemical use and planting for biodiversity ahead of spring.

Boulder and pipe work during construction of a backyard pond waterfall

Pond Building5 min read

What Innovative Construction Ideas Can Transform Your Warwick Pond This Spring?

Pond construction ideas for Warwick, NY: natural filtration, wetland filters and stream design that suit the local ground and the grade you have.

Waterfall spilling into a large pond on a scheduled maintenance visit

Maintenance5 min read

Making Pond Maintenance a Breeze

Lower-maintenance pond care: natural algae control, correctly sized filtration and a seasonal routine that takes minutes rather than weekends.

Basalt column fountainscape set in river rock beside a patio seating area

Water Features5 min read

Water Features as a Focal Point

Using a water feature as a garden focal point: siting it for sightlines and sound, scaling it to the space, and planting to frame it properly.

Large lifestyle koi pond built beside a patio for outdoor living

Koi Ponds5 min read

Elevate Your Outdoor Living with a Koi Pond

What a koi pond actually adds to a backyard: the sound, the wildlife, the year-round interest, and an honest look at what it takes to own one.

An 8' x 11' koi pond built and maintained by Garden State Koi in West Milford, NJ

Maintenance5 min read

Guide to Pond Maintenance in West Milford

Pond maintenance in West Milford, NJ. Wooded lots, heavy leaf fall and well water change the routine. Seasonal tasks for Highlands properties.

Members of the Garden State Koi team at a contractor event

Pond Building5 min read

Why Garden State Koi is the Premier Pond Builder in New York

When it comes to creating a serene and beautiful backyard oasis in New York, choosing the right pond builder is crucial.

Pondless waterfall built by Garden State Koi in West Milford, New Jersey

Pond Building5 min read

Eco-Friendly Pond Building in New Jersey: How We Create Sustainable Water Features from Andover to West Milford

Eco-friendly pond building across North Jersey, from Andover to West Milford. Natural filtration, native plants and materials chosen to last decades.

Tall pondless waterfall built into a stone retaining wall with plantings

Pondless5 min read

What Are Pondless Waterfalls

Space Efficiency: Perfect for smaller gardens or areas where space is a premium, these waterfalls bring the beauty of cascading water without.

Bubbling rock fountainscape set into a bluestone patio beside a garden bench

Pond Design5 min read

Book Your Spring Project Today!

Booking a spring pond build over the winter buys time for permits, design and a place on the schedule. What to sort out before the ground thaws.

Balanced ecosystem fish pond with koi, lilies and a rock waterfall

Guides5 min read

Ecosystem Fish Ponds: Backyard Guide

What an ecosystem fish pond is, how it self-cleans with rocks, plants, and bacteria, and what it costs to build one in NY, NJ, or PA.

Freshly reopened spring pond with clear water and new plantings

Seasonal5 min read

Spring Awakening: Time to Revitalize Your Pond

Spring pond services: cleanout, filter restart, water testing and plant division. What to schedule as the water warms and the fish wake up.

Bubbling stone waterfall cascading through natural boulders beside the Garden State Koi display garden

Pondless5 min read

Innovative Pondless Waterfall Designs for Modern Landscapes

Low Maintenance: Without a pond, there's no need to worry about fish or plant care.

Pondless waterfall and fountainscape arranged among natural boulders and river rock

Guides5 min read

Ecosystem Pond Design: Full Guide

Complete guide to ecosystem pond design. The 5 components, sizing, filtration, plant selection, and maintenance, from Garden State Koi.

Pond edged with snow and ice during a Hudson Valley winter

Seasonal5 min read

The Science of Ponds in Winter: A Closer Look at Garden State Koi’s Service Area

How ponds behave through a northeastern winter: ice cover, dissolved gases, fish dormancy and water chemistry in Warwick, NY and the region around it.

Garden State Koi crew and visiting contractors at a pond build training day

Guides5 min read

Choosing the Right Pond Builder: What You Need to Know

How to choose a pond builder: the certifications, portfolio evidence, warranty terms and site questions that separate a real contractor from a landscaper.

Pair of spillway bowls spilling into a basin beside a patio lounge area

Seasonal5 min read

Elevate Your Landscape: Key Considerations for Outdoor Fountain Installation – Garden State Koi

Installing an outdoor fountain: choosing the power source, siting it for sound and sightlines, and the groundwork that keeps it running for years.

Parent and child wading in a Recreational Pond alongside koi

Recreational5 min read

The Rise of Recreational Swim Ponds: A New Era of Outdoor Living

Recreational swim ponds: natural swimming water with no chlorine, how they filter themselves, what they cost and how they compare with a pool.

Snow covered backyard pond running through a Hudson Valley winter

Seasonal5 min read

The Importance of Winter Pond Care

Winter pond care: holding a hole open in the ice for gas exchange, setting the aerator at the right depth, and what to do with the pump and fish.

Metallic koi swimming close to the surface of a healthy pond

Koi Ponds5 min read

Koi Pond Care: Problems & Solutions

Common koi pond problems and how to fix them: algae, cloudy water, leaks, predators, sick koi, and pump issues, from Garden State Koi.

Pond liner installed in a new basin at the start of a pond build

Guides5 min read

Getting started with pond building – Tips from Garden State Koi

Starting a pond build: how to pick the site, size the excavation, plan filtration and set a budget before anyone puts a shovel in the ground.

Pond basin cleaned and refilled after a full drain and clean service

Maintenance5 min read

Winter Pond Maintenance: Things You Can Do

Winter pond maintenance you can do yourself: de-icer placement, aerator depth, pump storage and the checks worth making after a hard freeze.

Fish Care5 min read

Winter Fish Care

Winter koi care: when to stop feeding, what the fish do under the ice, and how to bring them through a northeastern winter without a heater.

DIY pond kit components including skimmer, biological filter, pump, and tubing

Seasonal5 min read

Winter Pump Care

How to store your pond pump for winter: remove it from the filter, keep it in a bucket of water somewhere frost free, and prep it again for spring startup.

Plant Care5 min read

Fall Plant Prep

Fall pond plant prep: which aquatic plants to cut back, which to sink deeper and which to lift before the first frost so they return in spring.

Garden State Koi crew setting boulders during a pond build

Pond Building5 min read

Mastering the Art of Pond Building: A Comprehensive Guide with Garden State Koi

A full guide to pond building: siting, excavation, liner and underlayment, filtration, rockwork, planting and the critical first season of care.

Finished waterfall on a 13x18 backyard pond, from design to reality

Guides5 min read

From Dream to Reality: Crafting Your Ideal Backyard Pond with Garden State Koi

From first sketch to first fish: how a backyard pond gets designed, excavated, plumbed and stocked, and what you decide at each stage of the build.

A first backyard pond built at 11 by 16 feet with a rock edge and waterfall

DIY5 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Building Your First Pond: A Step-by-Step Journey with Garden State Koi

Building your first pond, step by step: choosing the site, sizing it, excavating, plumbing, planting and adding fish without losing any of them.

Completed 13x18 koi pond and waterfall, the homeowner vision realized

Pond Building5 min read

Making Your Vision for a Backyard Pond a Reality with Garden State Koi

Turning a backyard pond idea into a real build: the site visit, the design, the excavation and the stocking, and what you choose at each step.

Renovated pond with clear water after troubleshooting and repairs

Maintenance5 min read

Troubleshooting Common Pond Problems: A Practical Guide

Pond troubleshooting: green water, string algae, low oxygen, leaks and pump failure. What causes each problem and the fix that actually holds.

Tropical water lily in bloom, a good plant choice for a new pond

Plant Care5 min read

How to Choose the Right Plants for Your New Pond

Choosing pond plants: marginals, oxygenators, floaters and lilies each do a different job. What to plant where, and how much surface to cover.

Natural stone waterfall cascading between boulders and driftwood

Maintenance5 min read

Understanding Pond Aeration: Why It’s Important and How to Do It Right

Diffused Aeration Systems: These systems use an air pump that pushes air through a hose to a diffuser located at the bottom of the pond.

Backyard transformed by a new pondless waterfall installation in Woodstock, NY

Pond Building5 min read

Transform Your Backyard with a New Pond Installation

What a pond installation does to a backyard: the look, the wildlife it draws, the property value question, and what the build actually involves.

Garden State Koi crew excavating a pond with professional equipment

Pond Building5 min read

Why Professional Pond Installation Makes a Difference

What a professional pond installation gets you: correct excavation, proper liner protection, filtration sized to the pond, and equipment that lasts.

Tranquil backyard pond surrounded by seasonal flowers and stonework

Pond Building5 min read

The Benefits of a New Pond Installation: Transforming Your Backyard into a Tranquil Oasis

What a new pond installation gives you: sound, wildlife, year-round interest and usable outdoor space. An honest look at the upside and the upkeep.

Skimmer cove built into a pond edge to collect leaves and debris

Maintenance5 min read

Regular Cleaning and Debris Removal: Keeping Your Pond Pristine and Healthy

Invest in a Pond Vacuum: For debris that has sunk to the bottom of the pond, a pond vacuum can be a great investment.

Renovated water feature with a new urn fountain and fresh plantings

Maintenance5 min read

Seasonal Pond Maintenance Tips: Ensuring a Healthy Ecosystem All Year Round

Remove Winter Debris: Over winter, leaves and other debris may have accumulated in your pond.

Pond with sparkling water after a full professional cleanout

Guides5 min read

The Top 10 Mistakes When It Comes To Pond Maintenance

The ten most common pond maintenance mistakes: overfeeding, overstocking, undersized filters, chemical overuse and skipping the fall closing.

Fallen leaves floating on a pond surface before netting and leaf control

Seasonal5 min read

Keep Your Pond Free of Leaves

Keeping leaves out of a pond: when to net, how to size a skimmer for heavy leaf fall, and why leaves left over winter turn a pond into leaf tea.

A handful of string algae pulled from a koi pond

Maintenance5 min read

How to Control String Algae in Koi Ponds

Stop string algae taking over your koi pond. Manual removal, beneficial bacteria, IonGen, plants, and prevention tips from Garden State Koi.

Koi and butterfly koi swimming together after being added to a pond

Fish Care5 min read

Adding Fish to Your Pond: Safe Method

How to add koi and goldfish to your pond safely. Acclimation, stocking levels, quarantine, and the best season to introduce new fish.

Backyard koi pond in Orange County, NY after Garden State Koi service

Fish Care5 min read

Common Pond Problems in Orange County and How Garden State Koi Can Help

Murky water, string algae, leaks and dead pumps are what Orange County pond owners call us about most. What causes each one and how each gets fixed.

Large campus pond built by Garden State Koi, New York

Pond Building5 min read

Garden State Koi – The Top-Rated Pond Builder Near You in New York

Quality Materials: We are committed to using only the best materials in our pond construction.

Natural pond with a constructed wetland filter working with mother nature

Pond Building5 min read

Eco-Friendly Pond Design: Working with Mother Nature

Natural Filtration: Traditional ponds often rely on mechanical filters and chemical treatments to keep the water clean.

Wildlife friendly water garden planted to attract birds and butterflies

Seasonal5 min read

Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Pond: A Comprehensive Guide

Plant Variety: Including a variety of plants in and around your pond can provide food and shelter for a range of species.

Crystal clear pond water tumbling over a clean rock waterfall

Maintenance5 min read

The Importance Of Keeping Your Pond Clean

Keeping a pond clean: mechanical and biological filtration, debris removal and the maintenance rhythm that holds water clear without chemicals.

Quiet seating area beside a stone stream in a backyard water garden

Pond Building5 min read

Tranquility at Your Doorstep: The Mental Health Benefits of a Backyard Pond

The mental health case for a backyard pond: moving water, wildlife and a reason to sit outside. What the research says about water and stress.

Spring pond opening work getting a water feature ready for summer

Maintenance5 min read

Spring Pond Maintenance: Preparing Your Pond For Summer

Spring pond maintenance: the cleanout, pump and filter restart, water quality checks and feeding schedule that set a pond up for summer.

Professional pond crew placing stone correctly on a backyard build

Pond Building5 min read

The Importance of Trusting a Professional to Build Your Backyard Pond: Avoid Costly Mistakes

The pond-building mistakes that cost the most: undersized filtration, bad excavation, unprotected liner. Why the repair runs more than the build.

Summer ready koi pond with lilies and clear water under a maintenance program

Maintenance5 min read

Get Your Pond Summer-Ready with Our Professional Maintenance Programs

Getting a pond summer ready: the cleanout, filter service, plant division and water testing that prevent an algae bloom in July.

Garden State Koi technician servicing pond equipment during a maintenance visit

Guides5 min read

Trust the Experts: The Importance of Professional Pond Maintenance for Your Backyard Oasis

What professional pond maintenance covers that DIY usually misses: water chemistry, filter media, equipment wear and the seasonal open and close.

Aquascape urn fountain kit with basin, pump, and tubing

DIY5 min read

Mother’s Day Sale | 15% OFF all AquaGarden Kits!

AquaGarden all-in-one pond kits from Garden State Koi. Standard and Deluxe kits include liner, pump and filtration, sized for a weekend install.

White water lily in bloom after fertilizing

Plant Care5 min read

Fertilizing Your Water Lilies

Water lily fertilizer: how much to feed, how often, and which tablets to use. Root-bound lilies in small pots are hungrier than most owners expect.

Flowering annuals and aquatic plants around a pond waterfall

Plant Care5 min read

Seven Tips for Planting Your Pond

Seven pond planting tips: vary texture and leaf shape, plan for color across the season, and place plants so the pond reads as one composition.

Fish Care5 min read

Feeding Your Fish in Spring

How and when to start feeding koi again after winter. Water temperature guidelines, the right spring food, and how to avoid overfeeding your pond fish.

A mink standing on the rocks beside a pond

Seasonal5 min read

Mink & How to Deal with Them

Mink or muskrat eating your koi? Pond dye, real depth, a proper fish cave and netting are what work. What to try, and what does not help at all.

Healthy summer pond with koi, lilies and a running waterfall

Fish Care5 min read

Is Your Pond Ready for Summer?

Three things to do before summer: clear dying foliage, check filtration and watch your stocking level. Simple steps that keep water clear in July.

Aquatic pond plants ready for planting at the Garden State Koi store

Guides5 min read

Plant Your Pond to Perfection

Pond plants are a great long-term solution to combat nuisance algae and provide a healthy habitat that your fish will love!

Large koi swimming in a stocked display pond

Guides5 min read

How Many Fish Can I Have?

How many koi can a pond hold? Stocking density drives oxygen, ammonia and nitrite levels. A practical way to size your fish load to your pond.

Heron shaped spitter standing at the edge of a backyard pond

Plant Care5 min read

Who’s Coming to Visit?

Which wildlife a backyard pond attracts: dragonflies, frogs, birds and the occasional heron. What a balanced ecosystem brings in, welcome or not.

Bags of koi and goldfish food stocked at Garden State Koi

Fish Care5 min read

Koi Treats & Food Storage Tips

Koi treats and food storage: which fruits and vegetables koi will actually eat, how often to offer them, and how to store pellets so they keep.

A young child watching koi swim at the edge of a pond in summer

Seasonal5 min read

Summer Fun for Young Ones

Pond activities for kids: treasure hunts, wildlife spotting and feeding time. Simple ways to get children interested in the water garden.

Koi pond in midsummer where water level changes show evaporation or a leak

Seasonal5 min read

Summer Water Loss… Is it a Leak or just Evaporation?

Why is your pond losing water? How to tell normal summer evaporation from a real leak, what daily loss is typical, and where leaks usually hide.

Pond and waterfall pumps on the shelf at Garden State Koi

Fish Care5 min read

Summer Pond Essentials

Summer pond care: managing evaporation, feeding in warm water, holding oxygen up through a heat wave and staying ahead of algae in July and August.

Pink lotus flower blooming above the water in a pond

Plant Care5 min read

Great Ways to Eat Your Water Plants

Edible pond plants: lemongrass, watercress, water mint and taro all grow in a water garden. What to plant, when to harvest and how to use them.

Stacked slate sphere fountainscape in a flowering garden bed beside a home

Guides5 min read

Variety is Key

Tropical versus hardy water lilies: how to tell them apart, what each one needs, and how mixing them stretches color across the whole season.

Giant koi swimming in a stocking tank at Garden State Koi

Fish Care5 min read

Fish Stocking & Spawning

Do you want to add more fish to your pond? Stock your pond gradually!

Newly acclimated koi swimming among aquatic plants in a backyard pond

Koi Care4 min read

Adding Fish to Your Pond: How to Acclimate Koi Safely

Step-by-step guide to safely adding or re-adding koi and pond fish — from temperature acclimation to using pond detoxifier — from Garden State Koi.

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