What Are You Going to do About ALL Those Leaves in Your Pool?
It’s pretty much a given fact that if you have a pool, at some point you will have leaves or other debris in it, whether from your own yard or blown in from a neighbor’s. The dilemma is how to keep your pool as clean as you can while doing as little work as possible!
Landscaping is either part of the solution, or – part of the problem. A substantial trimming to your surrounding trees every few years, in addition to pruning the dead branches every fall, will keep your work load down. Trimming back the length of very long and heavy branches, may prevent an unexpected break due to its size, especially in heavy wind or ice storms.
Pool friendly plants and trees around the pool will reduce your workload.
A good choice are small-medium size trees, large leafed, tropical, non-fruiting and non-flowering. Some trees like the sycamore have invasive root systems that may harm the shell of your pool, and some, like eucalyptus will shed leaves and bark all year long.
You may have the wrong type of trees planted around the pool, or too many trees. Younger trees tend to be more manageable, but as they mature, the amount of litter can become overwhelming to your skimmers and pool cleaner. Good trees around the pool would include magnolia trees, myrtle, dogwood and most evergreen trees. Bad trees to have around the pool include pines, cottonwood, oaks, and elms.
Leaf Nets are normally used over top of a solid winter cover, and are removed
easily, after all of the leaves have fallen – but they also make great fall and spring covers for pools in warmer regions, like DFW, or for pools that are kept open late into autumn. Leaf Nets are laid over the pool, loosely or tightly. They are easy to work with and very light weight. One person can install or remove a leaf net from an average pool. Leaf nets are perfect for the southern pool that doesn’t winterize, because it keeps the pool clean and reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches the pool water.
Pool Covers are an obvious solution to your leaf problem. In addition to the Leaf Net mesh cover mentioned above, Automatic pool covers will keep your pool clean while also conserving heat energy in the pool. Cleaning the auto cover is a bit of a trade-off, but is easier than cleaning the pool. To clean an automatic cover, pump most water off, and use a leaf blower or garden hose to clean the cover as it rolls up. When you are left with only 5-6 ft of cover still over the pool, use a leaf rake on a pole to scoop the leaves up.
info from poolcenter.com
Products to accommodate all your outdoor activities.
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Unfortunately, algae is a common problem for people with swimming pools. If you’ve noticed that your pool water is starting to turn a little green, you’ve got an algae problem! Algae is a plant-like organism that grows in water, which is why swimming pools need to be treated with chemicals (or salt) to ensure nasty bacteria and other growths don’t get into our water.
The main reason why algae grows in your pool is probably because it hasn’t be treated with enough chlorine or other sanitizing chemical. When your water is stagnant or not moving enough, you’re gonna get algae. That’s why it’s important to keep the pool water moving with your filter and pump. It’s hard for algae to grow when the water is moving.
Algae also loves dark places that don’t get much water circulation including on the steps, under swim up tables and bar stools, and in all corners, creases, and crevices; great spots for algae to feed and multiply.
How can you get rid of it? Shock it!
There are 3 different stages of algae which need different amounts of shock.
The more algae in your pool water, the darker the green color will be. Disgusting!
1 pound of shock treats 10,000 gallons of water.
Light Green Pool Water: Double shock it. (2 pounds per 10,000 gallons)
Dark Green Pool Water: Triple shock it. (3 pounds per 10,000 gallons)
Black Green Pool Water: Quadruple shock it. (4 pounds per 10,000 gallons)
Hope this helps!
Have you ever thought of creating a living wall? Whether it is part of a building or free standing, it is healthy and great to look at. Also known as green walls, these vertical gardens are packed with plants that benefit everything from our lungs to our ears!
A green wall will help improve the quality of air in any environment. It acts as a natural air filter, purifying the polluted air as it releases clean oxygen.
a green wall can turn any dull and dreary room into an inviting and alluring environment. This can be great for creating a good first impression and giving your home a nice colorful touch. It will add some green to your four walls and be a great talking point when you have guests over.
Did you know however than installing a green wall acts as a natural air conditioner, balancing humidity levels in the process to keep us comfortable?
You might be wondering how can a bunch of plants help to reduce noise levels. The foliage absorbs and reflects the noise that comes its way, so if there’s a room in your home you want to make as peaceful and relaxing as possible, a living green wall can help – and that’s not to mention the general sense of calm and well-being that comes from being around greenery!
www.livingwallart.com
The hot summer can cause your beautiful green grass to dry up and die. Here are a few tips for keeping it green and healthy throughout the hot summer months.
Watering Times:
The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning. This allows photosynthesis to take place and your grass will benefit. Watering at night creates too much moisture in the ground and disease can set in. Watering during the day is really just wasting water as most of it evaporates!
How Often to Water:
Water your lawn long and deep. You want the roots to develop deep down in the earth. If you water for short intervals daily, this won’t happen and the grass won’t be healthy. Water for longer amounts of time and less days per week.
Pay Attention to the Water:
Be sure that you are watering the lawn, not the sidewalk and street. If water starts to puddle or run off, then the are has received too much water. Be careful to turn OFF your automatic irrigation system on rainy days. Common sense, right? You would be surprised how many people waste water this way.
Oxygen is Necessary
Lawns do need air to breathe. It’s important to aerate your lawn periodically. You can hire someone to do this, or you can do it yourself. You can use a gardening fork and twist it in the ground at about 6 inch intervals.
Nutrients:
Be sure to feed your lawn! Fertilize
your lawn so that your grass will receive the nutrients it needs to grow and thrive.
Mowing:
Be sure to mow each week or at least biweekly. Raise the blade on your mower so that the grass is a little higher. This will allow the water to absorb and stay in the ground longer and the grass won’t dry out as quickly.
Eliminate Weeds:
Try to stay on top of weed removal in your lawn. Pulling them by hand is the gentlest way to get rid of them. If they are out of control, then apply a weed killer to one area of the lawn at a time. Applying to the whole lawn at once is harmful to the root system of the grass.
Enjoy the summer and your beautiful green lawn!
Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to start thinking out you can make the most of your outdoor time by making your patio or deck an outdoor living room! There are a few things to keep in mind.
Here in Texas we are fortunate to be able to use our outdoor living areas pretty much year round. So when thinking about your outdoor furniture, be sure to invest in good, quality furniture that is made for withstanding the elements. The better you take care of it, the longer it will last!
Decorating your patio with comfortable furniture decor will easily make your outdoor space feel as cozy as your indoor space. Your outdoor space can easily add to your home’s usable square footage and give you much more room for entertaining, eating or relaxing. This is a place you want to spend all day. And night!
If you are adding stone pavers, poured concrete or a wooden deck, design the area to be as large as possible. If you want your outdoor space to function as kitchen, dining and living area outside, you’ll want enough room to move furniture around and you won’t want too many transition areas (like stairs or gravel edges) for people to trip over. The eye tends to stop whenever there is a change in surface, like from paver to grass, so extending the space as much as possible will make the patio appear larger too.
Designing a patio or deck that elegantly connects indoor living with outdoor living can be a great way to take advantage of your outdoor space all year long. Design something that can be used during inclement weather, and is easy for the host or hostess to bring food or drinks from the kitchen outside. These fully expandable doors help maximize the indoor/outdoor feel and the connected outdoor bar finishes the look.
Maximize your outdoor area with built-in seating. It’s the best way to have outdoor furniture without having to actually buy individual chairs, benches or stools.
You can do a few of these projects yourself, however some of them may require the help of a designer/contractor. Building a retaining wall or bench from stone or adding irrigation is something you probably won’t want to tackle on your own! Be sure to add your own personal touch to your space, whether you did it or hired a pro!
Tips: porch.com
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Now that it is finally winter, it may be the perfect time to consider building an outdoor fireplace. They provide a great way to entertain and to extend your indoor living area outdoors. There are a few things to consider when planning to build your fireplace, but building one is definitely worth your time and money!
1. EXTENDS THE OUTDOOR SEASON.
Outdoor fireplaces are a huge hit during the warmer months, but the good news is, they let you spend more time outside during the cooler months as well. An outdoor fireplace allows you to enjoy your outdoor space throughout the fall, winter, and early spring when the temperatures tend to drop. Whether you live in an area that’s always warm or one that gets relatively cool, an outdoor fireplace ensures that you can spend as much time outdoors as you’d like.
2. EXPANDS ENTERTAINING SPACE.
An outdoor fireplace takes the entertaining to where it should be: the outdoors. It is a natural gathering space that provides a fun way to entertain guests. It’s the perfect place for family and friends to sit together, drink a glass of wine, and talk about their lives. Who needs a television or gaming system when you have an outdoor fireplace? A warm glow and crackling fire can make any get-together more fun, relaxing, and enjoyable.
3. INCREASES HOME VALUE.
An outdoor fireplace can increase a home’s market value. It immediately catches a potential buyer’s eye and helps your home stand out from others. Homeowners continue to embrace the trend of maximizing outdoor living space, which includes outdoor fireplaces. Real estate experts say that for every dollar you invest into landscaping projects, you will see a $2 return when you sell your home.
4. CREATES AN AMBIANCE.
Blazing bonfires are fun, but aren’t practical in residential areas. Outdoor fireplaces, on the other hand, can give you the same atmosphere but with safety and convenience. An outdoor fireplace adds beauty to an outdoor space that can’t be achieved from anything else. It adds a dramatic warmth and a welcoming invitation to a space. The warm glow creates a lovely and relaxed ambiance. An outdoor fireplace also gives you the perfect backdrop for romantic evenings with someone special or spending time with friends. A little bit of warmth goes a long way.
5. PROVIDES A FOCAL POINT.
An outdoor fireplace is a great accent piece for your outdoor space. It gives structure and definition and allows you to add a little drama to your space. A chimney can be a strong vertical focal point that elevates the eye and gives the space depth. An outdoor fireplace can adapt to many different design elements and styles and will overall enhance the look of your space.
It’s almost time for Christmas entertaining; both for family dinners and parties. Your dining room table won’t be complete without a fabulous centerpiece.
Here are a few ideas that are so easy, you can do them yourself!
For these cute centerpieces, all you need is a bag of cranberries, some epsom salt, and whatever type of container you want to use. The designer above used cedar leaves, twigs, candles, and paper cone trees over wine glasses!
How easy and beautiful is this? Fill a bowl of water with apples and tea lights.
If you want a more traditional look, go for the grapevine wreath, greenery, pine cones, and add a hurricane lantern with a candle and more cranberries.
Turn those wine glasses upside down! (If they’re not being used, of course!) Pop an ornament underneath and a votive candle on top… arrange different sizes and you’ve got a piece of art!
No matter what your Christmas decorating, taste, you can make a centerpiece to fit your needs.Enjoy… and Merry Christmas!
Ideas and pictures from diyncrafts.com. Please see website for complete list of directions and even more ideas!
Now that it is finally cooling off outside, it may be the perfect time to consider building an outdoor fireplace. They provide a great way to entertain and to extend your indoor living area outdoors. There are a few things to consider when planning to build your fireplace, but building one is definitely worth your time and money!
• Before building, you will need to decide where the fireplace will be. Next to your indoor living area? Under a pavilion or arbor? On the other side of the yard in a separate, more private space?
• What style do you want? Rustic? Classic? Contemporary? A mixture of different design elements? Freestanding or built in? Materials: stone or brick or combination? Gas or wood burning?
• What is the purpose of the fireplace? Entertainment? Family time?
Outdoor Signature can help you with all of these questions and build you a beautiful fireplace that will be the envy of your neighborhood!
