A swimming pool is a luxury that can provide recreation and relaxation. Having an eco-friendly swimming pool is not just an appealing aesthetic. It can also be a place for wellness and sustainability – to humans and the environment.
Here are a few eco-friendly landscaping ideas that can turn your poolside into a greener place.
Plan ahead
A few things need to be taken into consideration before landscaping. Before buying any materials for your pool, make sure that whatever addition you wish to include in your yard will enhance its appeal and will not obstruct the traffic.
You also want to make sure that you will be able to maintain it for a long time. Eco-friendly materials are subject to growth and decomposition. The wear and tear can also contribute to its deterioration.
Ensuring that your landscaping has a place in your yard without creating barriers as well as regularly preserving the landscaping arrangement can guarantee you a visually-pleasing pool area that can last for a long time.
Start with your soil
Landscaping is almost synonymous to planting. The addition of plants is going to be on this list. But before we go any further, you must first consider the soil around your pool.
Not having the right soil type doesn’t necessarily mean that your plants will wilt and die, but some plants will simply not flourish.
Soils are the plants’ source of nutrients. You want to make sure that the soil is nutrient-rich enough to nurture your plants.
Incorporating organic mulch is an eco-friendly way of protecting your plants as well as improving your soil structure.
Add plants — lots of them
Plants are the embodiment of the word “nature.” Adding plants to your poolside will not only enhance your backyard’s landscaping, but it will also help you conserve water.
Plants act as natural windbreakers. By incorporating them into your pool, you will delay the evaporation time of the water – reducing the number of times you have to refill it.
Plant types you wish to add to your poolside vary depending on where you live. Some plants thrive in warm climates, while others prefer the colder temperature.
If you live in an area where you experience drought, plants like cactus and succulents will look great and require little maintenance.
Consider adding flowering plants
Plants are one thing, but flowering plants are another. Because flowers are fragile and sensitive to the climate and temperature, you need to make sure that the type of flowering plants you choose will flourish.
Plants like hibiscus and bird of paradise can add a tropical flair to your backyard.
Fragrant plants like lilies and gardenias are also an excellent addition to your landscaping as the sweet scent of these flowers will make your outdoor space more inviting.
If the poolside is your go-to place to unwind after a long day, then consider adding plants that give off a stronger scent at night. Evening primrose and night-blooming jasmine tend to smell its best at night as they are pollinated by night-flying insects.
Design your walkway
Walkways are implemented to provide access to the pool and the landscaping around it. The path is also an access for people to walk on so the landscaping will not be damaged.
Because the pathways that lead to the pool are always wet, you need to make sure that the materials used for them can provide enough traction to maintain safety.
Eco-friendly materials like stone slabs and pebbles are not only appealing, but they can also withstand heavy foot traffic and provide traction.
Walkways also tend to look best if you add plants and flowers to them. Ornamental grass can also add a touch of green that will welcome people into your backyard.
Sustainability has made its way to practically every industry. Hundreds of eco-friendly alternatives are now widespread and available to every consumer.
Thanks to research and initiative, many products and materials are now being reconstructed to coexist and support the environment. However, there are still times when going back to the natural route is still the best option.
Going green isn’t just for groceries. Your home can also greatly benefit from eco-friendly lifestyle – particularly in your backyard.
Written by Alexis Read
About The Author
Alexis Reed is the Content Specialist of H2O Pool Service, a family-owned Phoenix pool company that cleans, services, and repairs residential and commercial pools throughout Arizona. She enjoys hiking and camping with her family and friends.
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