How Not To Build A Pond: From Disaster to Success

Building a koi pond should be simple-dig a hole, add water, and release the fish.

Right?

In How Not to Build a Pond, author Susan Trott chronicles two decades of triumphs, disasters, leaks, floods, and the unending pursuit of the perfect backyard pond. Part memoir, part how-not-to manual, this beautifully illustrated, laugh-out-loud guide turns every mistake into a lesson-and every setback into a story worth telling.

From "The Frankenfilter Flush" to "The Mega Dome Massacre," Trott's adventures capture what happens when enthusiasm outruns experience and nature has the final say. Along the way, she shares practical tips on filtration, koi care, and pond maintenance, all wrapped in wit, warmth, and the unmistakable scent of damp earth.

Whether you're a pond keeper, DIY dreamer, or simply someone who loves tales of creative persistence, How Not to Build a Pond is proof that the best builds aren't flawless-they're full of heart.