SWIMMING POOLS |
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With proper maintenance and safety, a swimming pool can create an enjoyable hub for family activities during the summer months, and year round in the warmer climes. The swimming pool season in the northeastern United States usually extends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. |
| Landscaping around swimming pools should focus on plants that are attractive during the swimming season without causing problems. Potential problems can include bees and deciduous trees that shed their fall foliage into the pool. In woodland settings it's best to maintain a cleared buffer area around the pool to prevent problems with leaves. This may require occasional tree trimming to move an encroaching woods line back from the pool. | |
PLANT CHOICES AROUND THE SWIMMING POOL
(also see our
Spreading Junipers webpage) |
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Blue Pacific Juniper
makes a nice spreading |
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Colorado Blue Spruce
provides height and color without deciduous leaf drop. Needle shed
may become a problem in later years, so plant back from the pool
surround. |
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Ornamental grasses
help create a casual relaxed feel around the pool area. Cutback in
November (in the northeast) to prevent the dead grass blades from
blowing around and making a mess. |
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Dwarf Alberta Spruce
is a well behaved evergreen |
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Gold Thread Cypress
is an attractive plant for |
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Mugho Pine is a good
selection. Shape this evergreen shrub in June when the new growth
"candles" are still tender. |
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Gold Junipers grow
fast and add color. Allow room to grow and control size with regular trimming. |
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Blue Star Junipers
are well behaved and stay |
| CAUTION:
When using fertilizer around a swimming pool, make sure not to get
any in the water. Nitrogen in particular can cause serious problems.
Also be extremely careful with the use of herbicides around pools since many products can potentially wash or leach into the water. Always read and follow label directions. |
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POOL SAFETY |
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| It's critical to secure
a pool so toddlers and small children can't enter a pool when it is
left unattended. The #1 cause of death in children under 5 years old
in Arizona, California and Florida is drowning. Approximately
two-thirds of these deaths occurred while the child was at home and
under the supervision of at least one parent. |
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Below is some legal wording extracted from a local municipal ordinance concerning swimming pools: |
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| Inspections:
Swimming pools and garage drains must be tied into the sanitary sewer system. |
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| Single-Family Residential Recreational
Facilities: Swimming Pools - All swimming pools shall be protected by a fence, wall or other substantial barrier not less than four (4) feet high, and with a self closing, self latching gate of such a character as reasonable to restrict unsupervised access by children. |
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| Public, private and semi-private recreation
facilities: All pools shall be surrounded by a fence at least six (6) feet in height, the entrance to which shall be kept locked when attendant is not present; and shall be constructed in accordance with all applicable state requirements. |
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For pool maintenance in the
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SWIMMING POOL |
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2004-05 Pennsylvania Swimming & Bathing Code [67KB-PDF] |
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| Hardscape webpages | |
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