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Mike Garcia began his career in ornamental horticulture more than 25 years ago as a licensed contractor. Since then, he has earned his Certified Professional Pond Contractor certification and holds a National Assocaition of Pond Professionals certification in pond building.
Under his leadership, Enviroscape has won local, state, national and international landscape awards from associations including NAPP, International Professional Pond Contractors Association and California Landscape Contractors Association. Garcia's work has been featured in Landscaper Magazine, Pondkeeper Magazine, Water Garden News, Ponds Magazine, The National Landscape Contractor Magazine and South Bay Homes and Gardens, and it has appeared on HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge and ABC's Extreme Makeover, Home Edition. Garcia also serves on the board of directors for CLCA and Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden as well as an advisor to IPPCA. |
Jan. 31, 2012, 4:30 p.m. EST
The Best Kind of Advertising is Free
How much would it cost to place an advertisement with photos in the main section of a major metropolitan newspaper? It would cost thousands of dollars. How would you respond if a major metropolitan newspaper would give this to you for free? Read more»
Jan. 16, 2012, 12 a.m. EST
Marketing Makes Business Phones Ring
I recently landscaped a backyard, and after convincing the homeowners that their yard would not be a true native garden without a water feature, the homeowners decided to incorporate a small water feature. Read more»
Jan. 3, 2012, 9 p.m. EST
Distinctions Increase Pay in the Pond World
When you answer your business phone or return calls, the more questions you ask and the more distinctions you make the more money you will make. Read more»
Dec. 19, 2011, 5:40 p.m. EST
Promote Your Award-winning Water Feature Work
Trade associations normally recognize the outstanding work of those whose work exceeds the norm and is considered outstanding. Read more»
Dec. 5, 2011, 6 p.m. EST
Pond Winterizing Checklist
With the chilly temperatrues, gardens often come to a standstill and ponds reach a grinding halt. Here is a pond winterizing checklist for you and your customers to use. Read more»
Nov. 22, 2011, 2:30 p.m. EST
Are Copper Ionizers Safe for Aquatic Life?
Every year, the pond world sees the release of new products that we hope will simplify ponding and make them simpler on installation and maintenance. Read more»
Nov. 15, 2011, 6 p.m. EST
Amazing Pond Event of the Year
I am very pleased with the International Professional Pond Companies Association’s hard work in planning the 7th annual Info Tanza pond event. Read more»
Nov. 4, 2011, 6:50 p.m. EDT
Rainwater Harvesting Continues in Popularity
I received a call from a couple who read about water conservation in the landscape and wanted to make a difference. Read more»
Oct. 17, 2011, 12 p.m. EDT
Ponditat For Humanity Benefits Pond Builders, Recipients
The International Professional Pond Companies Association will put on its annual Ponditat For Humanity project on Nov. 2-4. Read more»
Oct. 3, 2011, 1 p.m. EDT
8 Tips for Pond Pros to Thrive in a Challenged Economy
As fall begins, it seems that business this year fared much better than last year. Read more»
Sept. 19, 2011, 3 p.m. EDT
Why Pond Professionals Need to Attend Conventions, Expos
No company can succeed as an island. It takes a network for a company to run efficiently. Read more»
Sept. 8, 2011, 7:15 p.m. EDT
Networking in a Down Economy Makes Sense
As a pond and water garden contractor, the seeds we plant today will come to fruition in the near future. Read more»
Aug. 22, 2011, 12 a.m. EDT
Pond World Concerns About Minimum Advertised Pricing
The topic of MAP (Minimum Advertised Pricing) has sparked debate in the pond and water garden world and raised some good questions. Read more»
Aug. 9, 2011, 4:30 p.m. EDT
5 Tips to Keep Pond Companies Profitable
Since I cannot build ponds without the products I buy from pond product manufacturers, I recently asked John Olson, CEO of Graystone Industries and president of the International Professional Pond Companies Association, what he sees as the biggest challenges to the pond and water garden industry. Read more»
July 12, 2011, 3 p.m. EDT
Roar Through the Recession with Diversification, Website Upgrades
While networking with pond and water garden contractors across the United States, I discovered a common theme running through those contractors who are going out of business, surviving or thriving. Read more»
July 1, 2011, 8 p.m. EDT
Sustainable Gardening Remains Hot in Outdoor Living
The hottest trend in outdoor living is the sustainable garden and everything attached to things green. Read more»
June 20, 2011, 5:30 p.m. EDT
Permeable Hardscapes Diversify Your Pond Business
As professional pond builders, we must diversify our offerings to survive challenging economic times. A natural outgrowth of pond building and installation is hardscaping. Read more»
May 31, 2011, 7:40 p.m. EDT
Sell Perceived Value with that Pond Lifestyle
As the weather improves, so does the number of calls we get about our services for new ponds and maintenance. Read more»
April 12, 2011, 5:30 p.m. EDT
Cash in on Native Gardens, Part 2
Garden design requires art and creativity, but garden design also is a science. Read more»
March 29, 2011, 2 p.m. EDT
Cash in on Native Gardens, Part 1
Native gardens are in popular demand because they save water, thereby saving homeowners money. Read more»
March 15, 2011, 12 a.m. EST
Secrets to Successful Spring Pond Clean-outs
Do you feel the warmer weather? Warmer weather means spring pond clean-outs. Read more»
Feb. 21, 2011, 12 a.m. EST
Water Conservation Through Design
Water conservation is everyone's concern. Read more»
Feb. 10, 2011, 3 p.m. EST
Large Water Bills Result in More Service Calls
As pond and water garden builders, we must remember that we are part of a much larger world. Read more»
Jan. 24, 2011, 1:30 p.m. EST
Aquaponics Splashes into the Pond World
A new world is emerging from the established pond world: Aquaponics. Read more»
Jan. 12, 2011, 4:50 p.m. EST
Pond Pros Fight Against the Recession
I recently had the privilege of interviewing award-winning landscape architect and water feature installer Rhadiante Van de Voorde, founder of Elemental Design Group in San Francisco. Read more»
Dec. 13, 2010, 1:30 p.m. EST
LED Lights...Is the Pond World Ready?
As a follow up to my last blog, I spoke with Eric Triplett with Exotic Waterscapes in Yucaipa, California. Read more»
Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, 4 p.m. EST
Low-voltage Lighting Can Boost Sales in the Pond World
During a recent conversation with Eric Triplett, a fellow pond building contractor in Yucaipa, Calif., he let me in on one of the best kept secrets in the pond world. Read more»
Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, 7 p.m. EST
Industry Events Address Concerns About Reduced Water Supply
Concerns about our water supply continue to permeate the industry. Read more»
Oct. 27, 2010, 8 p.m. EDT
Moonlight Pond Tour Blows My Mind
Last Friday night, Eric Triplett (owner of Exotic Aquatics in Yucaipa, Calif.) hosted a Moonlight Pond Tour. Read more»
Oct. 12, 2010, 8 a.m. EDT
Pond World Advertising You Cannot Buy
The local city put on a huge event that was paid for with funds obtained through local partnerships. Read more»
Sept. 30, 2010, 8 p.m. EDT
Rainwater Harvesting Presents Opportunities
The city of Los Angeles is not alone in teach residents about ways to conserve water. Read more»
Sept. 14, 2010, 3 p.m. EDT
Picking Pond Events in a Fractionalized Pond World
Savvy business owners must balance time working on jobs with time away from the business to attend personal development seminars to keep their businesses healthy. Read more»
Sept. 3, 2010, 3 p.m. EDT
A Review of 'The R.I.S.E. Method' Water Feature Design Book
I recently came across a new book by fellow veteran pond builder extraordinaire Rick Bartel. Read more»
Aug. 16, 2010, 5:40 P.M. EDT
Changing Times and Great Expectations
Due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, the world of landscaping — of which the pond world is only a slice of a much bigger industry — is changing before our eyes after having been “business as usual” for the past 50 plus years. Read more»
Aug. 3, 2010, 3 p.m. EDT
A Different Perspective for the Pond World
Last week I attended an amazing event called “Unleash the Power Within” by master motivator and life coach Tony Robbins. Read more »
July 20, 2010, 5:50 p.m. EDT
Pond Events Promote the Pond World
On June 24, the International Professional Pond Contractor’s Association and its Top Guns converged on Lincoln, Nebraska to rework an existing older pond at a public church site. Read more »
June 28, 2010, 3 p.m. EDT
Experience the Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting Systems
I wondered how we would enjoy this summer without our swimpond. Read more »
June 14, 2010, 1:50 p.m. EDT
Long-distance Weekend Job
Some friends flew me to New York this past weekend so I could help them design their shady new back yard with landscape and a water feature. Read more »
June 3, 2010, 4 p.m. EDT
Rainwater Harvesting Systems Save Water, Money
In an effort to do the right thing for the environment as well as to diversify my business experience, I recently took the leap of faith and converted my swimming pool into a rainwater harvesting system. Read more »
May 17, 2010, 8:30 p.m. EDT
Holistic Pond Design for the New Customer
A homeowner who had done a lot of research on ponds recently called me. Read more »
May 4, 2010, 10:40 p.m. EDT
Make the Media Work for You
On April 24, A & E channel’s “Fix This Yard” featured my company. We transformed a dirt front yard into a paradise complete with a pondless waterfall attached to a rainwater harvesting system. Read more »
April 21, 2010, 3:30 p.m. EDT
Drought, Water Restrictions Affect the Pond World
As the pond world gets underway with pond and water garden clean-outs and start-ups, we cannot deny that the drought affecting much of the United States is taking a toll on how we pond. Read more »
April 8, 2010, 2:09 p.m. EDT
Reliable Pumps: The biggest challenge of the pond world
Imagine visiting a car lot for a test drive. The brand new car looks great and you get inside and smell the new leather seats. Read more »
March 7, 2010, 5 p.m. EST
Special Events Market Your Business
Many in the pond and water garden world still are struggling. Read more »
Feb. 26, 2010, 6 p.m. EST
Questions About Koi Fish
With the holidays behind us and the days getting longer, you can feel the pond world's enthusiasm as we receive solicitations from manufacturers and koi producers. Read more »
Feb. 2, 2010, 5:30 p.m. EST
Take Advantage of Trade Shows During the Slow Winter Season
Each winter brings a work slowdown for pond and water garden businesses. Read more »
Jan. 18, 2010, 2:30 p.m. EST
Low- Versus High-maintenance Water Features
The pond world seems to divide after completing the pond installation. Read more »
Jan. 11, 2010, 7 P.M. EST
Mind Power for 2010 and Your Future
After reading about the economic projections for the new year, do you feel puzzled, confused and disoriented? Read more »
Dec. 21, 2009, 8 A.M. EST
Witnessing a Green Revolution
Out of adversity comes invention! We certainly have experienced a lot of adversity the past couple of years. Read more »
Dec. 7, 2009, 4:30 P.M. EST
Pond Businesses Need to Follow the Minimum Advertised Pricing System
The economic crisis has taken a toll on all businesses. While it’s no secret that the pond and water garden work was lacking this year, another hardship came from the manufacturing and distribution side. Read more »
Nov. 30, 2009, 8:40 P.M. EST
Is the Good Ride Over for the Water Garden Niche?
According to an article I recently read in Irrigation & Green Industry magazine, the waterscape niche
of the landscape industry experienced phenomenal growth (a rate of 22 to 25 percent) the past few
years. Read more »
Nov. 11, 2009, 5 p.m. EST
Pond, Water Garden Networking at Industry Events
No matter your profession, networking with like-minded individuals involved in the same line of work proves invaluable, especially if you can network with people from multiple geographic locations. Read more »
Oct. 28, 2009, 5 p.m. EDT
Wanted: A New Pump
Our job as pond and water garden contractors is to install products that last. Read more »
Oct. 12, 2009, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Why Rainwater Harvesting Makes Sense
As we face major economic and financial challenges, there seems to be a silver lining for pond and water garden professionals who find it hard to keep the work coming. Read more »
Sept. 29, 2009, 3 p.m. EDT
Customers Rave About Floating Islands
In view of the economic challenges we continue to face, what is the key to business survival? Diversification. Read more »
Sept. 14, 2009, 3:30 p.m. EDT
Fountain Technology Gains Popularity
When I attended the Gafa show, the world's largest trade show, in Germany last year, I noticed a common thread that ran through the water garden part of the show. Read more »
Sept. 4, 2009, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Gravel Versus No-gravel Pond Bottoms
When I attended Pondapalooza in Portland, Ore., some years back, it was a pond and water garden builder’s heaven. We got to network with leading manufacturers as well as other pond and water garden builder’s from across the nation. Read more »
Aug. 17, 2009, 6 p.m. EDT
The Social Network Media Phenomenon
The newest buzz around town involves the social media network. Whether or not you’ve participated on MySpace, you likely have heard of it as part of last year’s headlines regarding unusual happenings in the personal lives of its participants. Read more »
AUG. 3, 2009, 12:40 p.m. EDT
Pond-trade Certification
As a water garden professional, nothing happens until I make a sale or get a contract signed. The art of making a sale is a process that includes building trust between myself and a potential client. Read more »
July 22, 2009, 2:33 p.m. EDT
Going Green Can Help Deal with Recession
In view of the current world economic crisis, professional pond builders are experiencing the same economic challenges the world is facing. Read more »
July 1, 2009, 1:20 p.m. EDT
Pond World, Not Yet an Industry
Water Garden News has splashed into the world of blogging. I've been invited to discuss the issues affecting our businesses and I welcome your comments. Read more »
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