Let’s face it, swimming pool landscaping isn’t free, so anything you can do save a little money in the long wrong is worth it. When you’re still in the planning stage of swimming pool landscaping, there are a few aspects of your pool landscape you’ll want to give special consideration to so you end up making one of these common mistakes.
The Wrong Pool Plants
When you’re choosing plants for around the pool area, it’s easy to think “What harm can a little plant do?” Well, in reality, they can do plenty. Plants that drop leaves or fruit make for maintenance headaches and can contribute to clogged and a damaged filters. A tree that grows larger or faster than you were expecting can send roots through the walls of your pool, costing you hundreds in repairs. Before you decide to plant any tree, shrub, or flower near your pool, make sure you read up on it’s growth habits.
The Wrong Deck Material
Unfortunately for unsuspecting homeowners, a lot of material that’s pushed as “perfect for pool decks” is anything but. Aggregate stone may be beautiful and give your pool patio a high class look, but all those bumpy little rocks are murder on bare feet. Concrete may be cheap, but it tends to crack in temperature extremes and gets slippery when wet. Instead, go with pavers or vinyl deck material.
Landscaping Without a Purpose
The pool is more than a place to “just swim;” depending on your lifestyle, it can also be a place to relax, socialize, and exercise. The important thing is to decide what you want from your pool area before you start landscaping. That way you won’t waste time and money putting in a bunch of stuff you don’t need only do discover you didn’t get what you really wanted.
If you want to create a quite, secluded spot to get away from it all, you’ll need an attractive privacy fence and a well landscaped patio. If you’re planning on throwing regular pool parties, you’ll need a large deck area with plenty of comfortable furniture and good lighting.
Invest a little time in planning your swimming pool landscaping and you’ll be able to avoid mistakes that could cost you plenty of money and time to repair. Start by deciding what you’re going to be using the pool area for (parties, relaxation time, water sports, etc.), then choose the landscaping plants and materials that will meet your needs best