Creative Landscaping Ideas for Your Above Ground Pool

Sometimes, it seems like inground pools get all the love. These pools are often deemed as fancy and get lots of special landscaping attention. Above ground pools, on the other hand, are often just placed in the back yard without much fanfare. However, when you own your own above ground pool, you can change all that! These pools can look just as fancy and exotic as their inground counterparts, especially when you’re not afraid to get creative with the landscaping.

Rock it Out

Various types of rock added in around your above ground pool can make for an affordable but beautiful landscaping option. You can go with gravel, stone, or even polished, pretty rocks for a natural and charming look to your pool. And, as an added bonus, this affordable decorating option will also keep the weeds at bay, so rocks are a total win-win.

Go Green

Another clever way to landscape your pool is by adding in hedges, shrubs, or just your favorite taller flowers or bushes. If you plant them around your pool in early spring, they should look great come summer. Greenery is cheap, natural, and adds some privacy to your pool. The only downside is that some greenery can attract bugs, so you’ll have to be careful about the exact plants you choose.

Capture that Beachy Feel

Finally, if you truly want a unique landscaping idea, why not turn your pool into your own private “beach?” Sand, like the other options presented here, is affordable and natural, and you can add as much of it as you want around your pool area. Throw in a couple of umbrellas, and you’ll truly feel like you’re at the beach every time you step into your yard.

With so many great options for making your above ground pool stand out, what are you waiting for? Start exploring these and other landscaping possibilities today so that your pool can look great all summer long!

Water Safety Tips for Kids

Summer is just around the corner. For most families, that means plenty of trips to the beach and the swimming pool. And, with that in mind, it’s a good idea to brush up on a few water safety tips to help keep kids safe all summer long.

Invest in Swim Lessons

First things first, if your child can’t swim or isn’t a strong swimmer, go ahead and invest in swim lessons. These are often hosted at your local YMCA or community center for a nominal fee. And, even if you think you’re qualified to teach your child to swim, it’s best to leave it to trained professionals. They’re great about teaching not just swimming but general water safety and tips on what to do if kids get into a precarious situation in or near the water.

Supervise Children at All Times

While those swim lessons will go a long way toward keeping your child safe, they are not a “pass” to doze off while your kids are in the water. Even strong swimmers can get swept up in a wave, fall or become unconscious in the water, or just get panicked and not know what to do. As such, keep a close eye on your child at all times and, when possible, be no more than an arm’s length away just in case you have to dive in and help your child out.

Use Quality Flotation Devices

If your child is too young for swim lessons or isn’t a strong swimmer in spite of them, invest in a good life jacket. Don’t rely on “floaties” or other cheap flotation devices to keep your little one safe. Instead, go with a Coast Guard-approved life jacket that has been properly sized to fit your child.

If you can follow these tips, then your summer should be filled with fun, sun, and best of all, no water accidents!