Discover the Natural Beauty of Gartenart Swimming Ponds | Garden Talks Series 3 | Episode 13

Summary

Tim Evans, founder of Garten Art Swimming Ponds, shares the journey of building a business around natural, eco-friendly swimming ponds in the UK. Established over two decades ago, Garten Art has pioneered the niche market, offering high-quality, chemical-free ponds that harmonize with nature. Tim discusses the challenges of sustaining the brand, plans to introduce a lower-cost product line, and the vision for expanding into public spaces. He emphasizes the growing demand for natural water experiences, driven by eco-conscious customers and a desire for wellness-focused outdoor spaces.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tim Evans runs Garten Art Swimming Ponds, a business specializing in natural swimming ponds. The company has been in operation for over 21 years.
• 😀 Garten Art started as a collaboration with a German landscape company, but Tim has run the business on his own since 2008.
• 😀 The company focuses on the premium end of the market, specializing in natural swimming ponds and pools, which are low-nutrient, wildlife-friendly water systems.
• 😀 The primary filtration method used in Garten Art ponds involves keeping phosphorus levels very low, resulting in clear water with minimal algae and weed growth.
• 😀 Natural swimming ponds are marketed as an eco-friendly, low-maintenance alternative to traditional swimming pools, providing a more organic and aesthetically pleasing look.
• 😀 Customers are typically in their 40s, 50s, or 60s, living in rural areas with space for a swimming pond. They tend to be health-conscious and value organic, natural lifestyles.
• 😀 Garten Art uses a unique plant-based filtration system, with carefully selected plants that thrive in low-nutrient water, as well as specific materials like Douglas fir and Caledonian stone for construction.
• 😀 The company offers open days at various locations to allow potential customers to experience the swimming ponds firsthand and dispel misconceptions about them being slimy or unclean.
• 😀 Garten Art has been working on a new, lower-cost pond design that simplifies the building process and reduces construction time, while still maintaining a natural filtration system.
• 😀 Future goals for the company include expanding into public projects such as hotels or councils, and possibly starting commercial swimming ponds, to increase awareness and cultural acceptance of natural water systems.
• 😀 Tim is exploring the possibility of creating a separate brand for the lower-cost swimming ponds to differentiate them from the premium Garten Art brand while maintaining brand integrity.

Q & A

What is the core concept behind Garten Art Swimming Ponds?

Garten Art specializes in creating natural swimming ponds, which are low-nutrient wildlife ponds that replicate the clean, clear water found in mountain lakes. The ponds are designed to be self-sustaining ecosystems, with a filtration system that targets low phosphorus levels to maintain clear water while supporting surrounding wildlife.

How did Garten Art Swimming Ponds get started?

Garten Art was founded by Tim Evans and his German partner, Ralph, in the early 2000s. Ralph had a landscape company in Cologne and brought the concept of natural swimming ponds to the UK. After five years, Ralph left, and Tim took over the business, which has grown steadily over the years.

What makes Garten Art’s swimming ponds different from traditional swimming pools?

Garten Art's swimming ponds are more organic and natural in design, with a focus on creating ecosystems that are low in nutrients and free of harmful chemicals. Unlike traditional pools, which often rely on chlorine or saltwater systems, these ponds maintain water clarity using biological filtration and plants, mimicking natural water bodies.

What is the target market for Garten Art Swimming Ponds?

The primary clientele for Garten Art includes individuals in their 40s to 60s, typically homeowners in rural or semi-rural areas of the UK. These clients are health-conscious, eco-aware, and often have the financial capacity to invest in a sustainable, organic swimming experience.

What challenges has Garten Art faced in the past year?

In the past 12 months, Garten Art has experienced a significant decline in demand, with their order books decreasing. This has led Tim to consider introducing a lower-cost version of their swimming ponds to cater to a broader audience, though they are still evaluating how to position this new offering within their existing brand.

What are the differences between the premium swimming pond and the new lower-cost version?

The premium swimming pond is more complex to build and requires a longer construction time, with costs ranging from £140,000 to £200,000, depending on size. The new lower-cost pond, priced around £80,000 to £100,000, simplifies the design and construction process, reducing both cost and build time by using a uniform depth and more streamlined materials.

How does the filtration system work in a natural swimming pond?

The filtration system in a natural swimming pond works by maintaining low levels of phosphorus, which prevents algae growth and keeps the water clear. The system uses natural aggregates to absorb nutrients, and although some companies use UV, Garten Art's filtration relies on the biological balance provided by plants and aggregates.

Can natural swimming ponds be built on existing swimming pools or ponds?

It is possible to convert an existing pond into a natural swimming pond. However, converting a swimming pool is more challenging and costly, as it requires completely replacing the pool’s filtration system. Garten Art currently focuses on building new ponds from scratch or converting existing ponds but has not fully optimized the pool-to-natural pond conversion process yet.

What are the key benefits of a natural swimming pond compared to conventional pools?

Natural swimming ponds offer clear, chemical-free water that supports local ecosystems. They provide a healthier, more eco-friendly alternative to traditional pools by using biological filtration instead of chemicals like chlorine. They also offer aesthetic value, blending seamlessly into the landscape with a more organic, natural look.

What does the future hold for Garten Art Swimming Ponds?

Garten Art plans to expand by offering a lower-cost version of their ponds and possibly launching a separate brand for this. Additionally, Tim aims to build larger public natural swimming pools in collaboration with councils or hotels, increasing awareness of natural water and bringing the concept to a broader audience.