Features

From Mowing Lawns to 'Mountain Ponds'

By Davey Porter
April 22, 2003

Many folks on the mountain claim to be longtime residents, but in John Stehmeier's case life in Lake Arrowhead is all he's known. Stehmeier, 34, and owner of Mountain Ponds, was born at Mountains Community Hospital back when it was known as Santa Anita Hospital. Stehmeier -- the son of 40-year Lake Arrowhead residents George and Janice Stehmeier -- graduated from Rim High School and continued his education at Cal Poly Pomona where he received his degree in Ornamental Horticulture.

"I absolutely love being outdoors all the time, and my job allows me to do that," Stehmeier said. "When I was a kid I was the neighborhood lawnmower, and I always had an appreciation for beautiful landscaping. I got to work with a lot of the groundskeepers up here, and just fell in love with it. That's why I went for the degree at Cal Poly."

Four years ago Stehmeier launched a successful landscaping business of his own where he built a loyal customer base appreciative of his attention to detail and service. He also attracted a celebrity clientele including Priscilla Presley and Patrick Swayze. In fact, it was actor Swayze who inspired Stehmeier to enter the pond business exclusively.

"Patrick asked me to build a waterfall and pond and I told him I hadn't done it before, but I did the research and realized this was definitely something I could do. Not only that, I really wanted to do it," Stehmeier recalled as he placed koi fish into one of his recently completed ponds located at the Arrowhead Gardens Nursery in Cedar Glen.

BUILDING A POND

"Lots of people think ponds and waterfalls waste water, but its actually the opposite," Stehmeier explained. "We use waterplants in the ponds and streams, and 75 percent of the water is reclaimed and recirculated. When you water lawns or regular plants you're guaranteed to lose 100 percent of whatever water you use on the lawns or plants you're watering."

Stehmeier said an average of 10,000 pounds of rocks are used in the creation of one of his ponds. The granite rocks are purchased from a rock dealer and are trucked to the site where he carefully connects each rock -- there is never any cement used -- and fulfills the design and aesthetic qualities expected by the client.

He uses Aquascape products to complete the waterfall and pumping systems, and always includes a fish tunnel in each pond which provides the pond's residents with an escape haven from raccoons and other critters in search of a free meal.

In the nearly two years Stehmeier has been building ponds exclusively, he has enjoyed a steady increase in business. So much, in fact, he has had to increase his crew to five persons working full-time, year-round; a stark contrast to his earlier days when he was the sole proprietor, salesman and landscaper.

Aquascape recently added Mountain Ponds to its top 100 installers, an honor when one considers there are over 20,000 licensed and certified Aquascape installers in the United States and Canada. Stehmeier's secret? "Customer service, and following through on the promises I make. If there is any secret to our success -- other than waterfalls and ponds are a pleasure to enjoy -- is understanding my job is to create a satisfied client."

Stehmeier said his company always follows up on all aspects of the job, anticipating problems before they occur and ensuring he leaves a trail of satisfied clients from one end of the mountain to the other. "We're starting to get a lot of business from down the hill, too," he added.

Mountain Ponds is launching a new line called the 'Pondless Waterfall'. Specially designed for weekenders who are away from their mountain homes for extended periods of time but still want a waterfall, the pondless waterfall features a waterfall that empties into a collection basin filled with rocks and gravel.

The pumps are located below the falls and maintaining your calming waterfall and stream is as easy as flipping a switch. "With a pondless waterfall, clients aren't concerned about fish or plants, and the water recycles itself," Stehmeier said.

For those who desire a more typical pond and waterfall setting, Stehmeier said any number of waterplants can be incorporated into the finished design. "Use any or all of them, or change them as you see fit. We use lilies, cat tails, water iris, arrowheads, grasses and water mint which gives off a beautiful mint fragrance."

Future plans for Mountain Ponds include a charity Parade of Ponds -- much like a home tour -- where those interested can tour the gardens where Stehmeier's ponds have been installed. Mountain Ponds will also participate in the annual Home Expo at the Lake Arrowhead Village in June. Finally, every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. a Mountain Ponds representative will be on hand at the Arrowhead Gardens Nursery to answer any questions prospective clients may have concerning the details of pond construction.

Successful business aside, Stehmeier said the greatest joy in his life is being the best dad to daughter Kylie, 5 and 3-year-old son Nicholas. "When you have great kids like mine, everything else that's good is extra."

Mountain Ponds can be reached at (909) 337-1844.

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