Fun With Mother Nature and Your Swimming Pool

Having Fun With Mother Nature

Do you like the sound of chirping birds? Find out what kind of food attracts songbirds indicative of your area and put out a feeder. Keep the feeder elevated on a pole or hung from an overhang as they tend to attract squirrels and other critters if in a tree. Birds will make a mess however when they break open the seeds with their beaks so be sure to keep the feeders away from the pool area. Many of the seeds will fall into the ground below the feeders causing a variety of plants and weeds to grow.

How about a butterfly or hummingbird garden? Every geographical area has specific plants that attract these magnificent creatures. Research and plan a simple, or extravagant garden. It doesn’t take much to draw them to an area with plants they like. A hummingbird feeder or two placed outside your bedroom or living room window can provide hours of entertainment. If your window has a reflective coating on it, you may be able to watch the hummingbirds checking out their reflections.

Garden departments at Home Depot and Loew’s have an amazing array of plants and complementary fountains, rock and waterfalls. Be creative! Is your yard large enough to build a trail of bricks or tiles? Both stores have a wide variety of ground stones available. While in the garden department of these stores, look into the future and think how your pool area will look in time after planting a flower garden that blooms in spring and summer.

If you are in a more tropical setting, consider bushes, palms or unique foliage and create a magical oasis over the years with an intimate pathway to walk down at night. A romantic bench or gazebo, strategically placed make for wonderful kissing spots. Does night blooming jasmine grow in your area? I visited a B&B in north Florida one summer with a gazebo covered with this jasmine, which was in full bloom that night. With a full moon above and a glass of champagne in hand, this was a moment in time never to be forgotten. Does your yard have a fence and privacy from the neighbors. If, so, an outdoor shower is a wonderful experience while a massage under the shade is a must!

What not to put around your pool

Palm trees are filthy and leave a variety of messes over the course of a year. Bamboo trees are your pools worst enemy as they are constantly dropping leaves into your pool which jam the skimmer basket and pool pump. If
you want to incorporate these trees around your pool, plan on investing in a floor vac and in-line strainer.

Boston Ferns make a mess also! In Florida, there is a similar plant called a Macho Fern which has hearty leaves and don’t shed. Other parts of the country will probably have similar plants. If your plants are potted, be sure you understand the commitment to watering them. If you use fertilizer, under no circumstances should fertilizer be near the pool as a strong wind will blow the granules into the pool and stain the walls and bottom. (I’ve seen this, it isn’t pretty!) Any time you use fertilizer near a pool, water it down immediately so the ground absorbs the granules.

Creating A Magical Rock Setting

Artificial rocks and waterfalls have come a long way the past few years! Today, the cost factor of building a waterfall and concrete rock formations are greatly reduced by these unique products. They are designed to easily reconfigure around any pool... and they look so real!

Custom rock structures and waterfalls are constructed as individual modules using a lightweight metal framework. Textured rock panels are then formed around them. Made of a composite polymer that has been used at major theme
parks for nearly two decades, these durable structures are tolerant to any weather climate. If you really want to turn your
pool area into a tropical paradise, this is a backyard addition you shouldn’t overlook. I have seen an assortment of stunning rock formations around pools that leave me breathless, especially at night when lit by subtle lighting.

Rock formation companies: Replications Unlimited: www.replicationsunlimited.com - 314.524.2040 • Rico Rock: www.ricorock.com • Boulder Formations: www.boulderformations.com