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Showa Koi Club Annual Pond Tour

Each year, pond owners all over the Lowcountry open their private water gardens to the public.  Thousands of visitors take advantage of the 1-day event, viewing beautiful backyard water gardens of every size, shape and style. 

This year the Charleston Showa Koi Club displayed 33 ponds and water gardens from Summerville to Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island to Johns Island and everywhere in between. For $10.00 per person, visitors received a ticket booklet that provided directions to and information about each garden, including specific details on the ponds and the fish.   Water gardens are open from 9AM – 4PM, followed by a Grand Finale Cook-out on John’s Island from 5PM to 7PM complete with information booths, raffle prizes and fun events for the kids.

A portion of the proceeds was donated to the Charleston Animal Society. For information about the annual tour go to: www.charlestonshowakoiclub.org

If you do the tour, here are some hints to make it a fun and successful day:

• Buy your book early and plan ahead – there’s no way you can see them all in one day.  Most folks do one or two areas per year and save the rest for future tours.
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• Pack your car for the whole day – It never fails that the day of the tour will be very hot, so pack a cooler of water and snacks. Bug spray too.
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• It’s more fun as a group – Caravan with friends to make the most of your day.
• Bring your camera – Unlike some tours, photos are welcomed. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions – Pond Owners love to show off their hard work, so if you’re considering building a pond or want to learn about koi keeping, ask lots of questions. 
• Make yourself at home – Take the time to sit and enjoy the ponds you visit.  Owners will welcome it if you sit and stay a few minutes to get a feel for how each yard feels.  There’s no better way to decide what kind of pond you may desire than by trying them on for size.
• Gardeners love gardeners – Many of the pond owners are also avid gardeners so again, ask about the plants you like.  Chances are you may get free cuttings or seeds.