Pools provide a focal point for summer fun. They bring the whole family together across generations, from grandparents to grandkids. Pools can also increase the value of your house with the right buyer.
Types Of Pools
The three most common pools are liner pools, gunite/shotcrete pools, and fiberglass pools.
Liner Pools
Liner pools are usually the least expensive in-ground pools. The liner is manufactured to your specifications, so can be tailored to your wishes. The vinyl liner is smooth, so it won’t stub the toe of your child. In addition, the smoothness makes it harder for algae to grow on the sides.
Vinyl liners only last about seven to ten years before they need to be replaced. While not as costly as the initial installation, replacing the liner is not cheap. If you have pets and children playing in and around the pool, you may want to choose another option. It is relatively easy to pierce the liner, which means the water leaks out. The liner warranty is typically prorated over twenty years, so accidents can be costly. Finally, vinyl pools may lower the house’s resale value relative to the other choices. Buyers often ask that the liner be replaced by the seller before closing.
Current Pool Project by the Blue Crew
Gunite/Shotcrete Pools
These pools last a long time and are totally customizable. You can build in sun tanning ledges, benches, seats, and other custom features. You can also make the pool any color you want, from bright blue to white or even black, for more of a lagoon look. The potential features are limited only by your imagination and your pocketbook.
Gunite/Shotcrete pools are more expensive than other options. They also take longer to build, usually three to six months. These pools may need to be resurfaced every ten to fifteen years, which is also expensive. The sides can be harder to keep clean and may require more pool chemicals to keep the algae down.
Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools are cast off site and then brought in and installed. They are very durable and last a long time as long as you maintain the pool water chemistry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Most fiberglass pools come with features such as tanning ledges, benches, and seats. The fiberglass has a gel coating over it that is not abrasive and also retards algae. Fiberglass pools are relatively quick to install, so you can get in the water sooner.
Fiberglass pools do have some downsides. They are cast in large molds, so you won’t be able to customize the design. For the same reason, they can’t be wider than sixteen feet because of shipping regulations. Fiberglass pools are more expensive up front compared to liner pools and about the same as concrete pools.
Current Pool Project by the Blue Crew
Shipping Containers
A relatively new type of pool is one made from shipping containers. We have put these in for customers who have been very happy with them. Modpools are customizable with the same features as other pools. However, Modpools can be installed in sloped areas that a traditional pool won’t fit in. We can build a deck and landscape around it and set it in the ground for you and manage the entire project.
Fun Pool Additions
One of the advantages of having your pool designed by an architectural landscape firm is that the pool will be integrated into the landscape in a comprehensive way. A pool isn’t just a hole in the ground, it is a part of the landscape. Here are some fun additions we have designed and built for our customers.
Sun Ledges
If you want to sit by the pool and get some sun, we can integrate a sun ledge into your pool. You can sun in a shallow 6” – 12” of water for a while, then take a deep in the deep end to cool off. Repeat as desired😊
Fountains, Waterfalls, and Fire/Water Bowl Features
Pools can have other water features built in them such as fountains and waterfalls. Water or fire bowl features are striking at night for those evening parties. We even built one pool with a grotto waterfall you could swim under.
Schedule A Consultation
As the temperatures continue to creep upward, a pool sounds better and better. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can design a pool that is integrated into your landscape and customized just the way you want it. Schedule a consultation now to get that pool started.
We have had a lot of rain this year and are not having drought problems yet. Last year was a different story, and some plants are still suffering drought stress. As summers get hotter and drier, drought-hardy perennials will make your landscape use less water. You can have a drought resistant garden that is beautiful. You don’t have to choose one over the other.
Why Native Matters
Using native perennials that are adapted to the rainfall in our area does more than reduce your water bill. Native plants feed and shelter an amazing number of insects, birds, and animals. Everyone knows pollinators are in trouble. Planting native trees, shrubs, and perennials gives them a place to live, reproduce, and feed. As a quick example, an oak tree houses 532 species of caterpillars, 147 species of birds, 120 species of mammals, and 60 species of reptiles and amphibians. In contrast, something imported like Bradford pear trees might feed a few birds, who like the fruit, but not much else.
Native Perennials
We have some suggestions for native drought-resistant perennials that will not need to be watered much once established.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
This attractive coneflower is native to both Kansas and Missouri. It grows to be from two to four feet tall with vivid purple flowers on tall stems. In the wild, it grows in well-drained limestone, sand, clay, loam, so it grows in a variety of soils. As a bonus, this plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and is valuable to native bees.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
This cheerful flower can be an annual, biennial, or a short-lived perennial, depending on the growing conditions. It grows to be three feet tall. Black-eyed Susans grow easily and can sometimes spread aggressively if the conditions are too perfect for it. Insects use the nectar and birds eat the seeds.
Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Milkweed or Butterfly Weed grows up to two feet tall. It attracts butterflies and hosts monarch butterfly caterpillars. The pollen and nectar attract other insects, as well. The plant is often home to aphids, but it will attract predator insects like the ladybeetle. Both the larvae and the adults love aphids. This plant is a must for anyone who wants a true butterfly garden, as it is the best place for caterpillars to grow and thrive.
Bonus: If you crush the seed heads of these perennials in the fall and leave them around the base of the plants, you may get more of them to fill in for a very full-looking plant next season.
While we don’t plant exclusively natives, as it would limit the combinations and creativity of our landscapes, we do like to incorporate them as much as possible along with other hardy plants for our area.
Need More Help?
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can come to your landscape and recommend the appropriate native plants for your location. You can remove non-native plants or start filling in natives as other plants die. Simply schedule a consultation and a garden care specialist will come suggest some native plants for your landscape.
Since the spring has been so wet, you may not have evaluated your lawn for winter damage. Now is a good time to check how your lawn is doing and set it up for success as we transition to summer.
Assessment
The first step to working on your lawn is to assess it. See if you have areas with thin or bare grass, patches of dead grass, or signs of disease or pest damage. You can use aerial images like Google Earth to make notes of your property to scale.
Clean-up
Pick up any debris on the lawn, such as branches, leaves, or dead grass. You may have to pick up after some of these strong spring storms, too. Raking your lawn with a leaf rake can help loosen matted grass so the air can circulate around it. This will help prevent fungus from growing. You can also use a verticutter if you have a lot of thatch to help loosen it up and rake out the dead areas to allow new areas to grow.
Overseeding
If you noted thin or dead patches of grass during your lawn assessment, you can overseed those places now. Do not try to seed any area where pre-emergent or “weed and feed” products have been applied in the last six months, as the herbicide will kill the germinating grass seeds.
Use a quality grass seed mix that matches the grass growing in your lawn now. It is a good idea to find one with some rye in it because that will grow quickly but will die off in a few months, letting the remaining grass take over. We often mix our seed with some compost in a wheelbarrow before spreading it. Doing this ensures good soil-to-seed contact. You will have to water your overseeded area daily until the grass grows as tall as the other parts of the lawn. If the seeds dry out once they start germinating, they will not grow.
Shady Turf Areas
Growing grass in shady areas can be a real challenge. We recommend not putting pre-emergent in these areas so you can reseed several times. Most weeds don’t grow well in the shade, so pre-emergent there isn’t very helpful. Seeding throughout the growing season will give you a better chance of establishing grass and keeping the lawn in the shade.
Fertilization
Most lawns in our area are cool season grass, such as fescue or bluegrass. For these types we typically fertilize more in fall and early spring and less in the summer when they tend to struggle. The key to keeping cool season grass looking good throughout the summer is watering regularly and not over stressing with too much fertilizer in the heat of the summer.
Watering
The new grass needs to be watered every day to germinate and grow. Established grass needs to be watered two to four times a week, depending on rainfall and how hot it is. Overwatering for long run times especially in the evenin can make your grass susceptible to root rot. We recommend more frequent watering for shorter run times to keep the lawn looking its best.
Mowing
Wait to mow the new grass until the blades are about three to four inches tall. Set the mower at three inches high to let the grass grow well and fill in the spaces. This makes it hard for weeds to grow because they cannot out compete the grass.
Weed Control
While the new grass is growing in, hand pull or spot treat any weeds that grow. Treating the whole lawn is probably not needed unless it is in very bad shape. As mentioned above, do not spread pre-emergent on turf grass growing in deep shade. Pre-emergents in the early spring and spot-spraying liquid weed control later in the season work best. Don’t apply pre-emergent in areas that you may need to seed.
Maintenance
Monitor your lawn at least weekly to check for signs of stress, disease, or pest problems. The sooner you see problems, the better because treatments are more effective when the problems are small. As summer approaches, fungus and grubs are the next thing to watch out for. Nutgrass is another weed you may see from all the spring rains. These can all be treated with the right applications.
Stay Tuned For More Lawn Services
We are adding services to manage your lawn this year. Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, get $25 off irrigation activation until June 1. Call the office at (816) 825-2524 to schedule your activation today.
You know that you can trust Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping with your landscape. Did you know that we can also help you find reputable businesses to provide almost any service that we do not offer as well?
We are a member of Business Networking International.
“Over a decade ago, before Royal Creations was even founded, we decided to join this organization, and it has been a powerful tool for growing our business as well as helping our friends, family, and clients through the relationships that we have built. We have a trusted network of professionals that can help with anything from home improvements to insurance or investments, and even your health and well-being.” – Andy
What Is Business Networking International (BNI)?
BNI is a collective of active, engaged business owners who use it to improve their skills in business. There are regional, national, and global offices of BNI staff who help business members learn new skills, best practices, and meet other businesses committed to being the best in their field. With more than 300,000 members in 78 countries, BNI members can always find someone who does what they need.
BNI Core Values
BNI has seven core values that every member agrees to follow:
Givers Gain – be willing to give first before you expect a gain. Unconditional giving makes the world a better place.
Traditions + Innovation – While members honor their traditions, they also seek to stay on the cutting edge of new, exciting technologies that allow them to perform better and not be left behind.
Building Relationships – Building healthy, genuine relationships helps build trust and a supportive environment.
Lifelong Learning – Keep learning to expand your skillset and keep up with new research in your field. Follow a curriculum that will get you to where you want to be so you can reach your goals.
Accountability – We keep the promises we make, especially when it is hard to do so. Keeping promises builds trust.
Positive Attitude – We find the good in everything and use that good to propel ourselves forward.
Recognition – Recognizing achievement encourages people to go the extra mile to get things done.
How BNI Benefits You
We are active in BNI. If you need work done that we do not do, our membership in BNI means we know someone you can trust to do your project. Finding a tradesman, professional services, healthcare provider, or virtually anything else just got easier. Simply call the office at (816) 825-2524 and tell us what you need. We will refer you to someone we trust to help you. If you know someone who would like to visit or possibly join our group, they can learn more at our website https://bniop10.com/ or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BNIOP10/
Speaking of helping you, since it has rained frequently this spring, you may not have turned on your irrigation system yet. If you call us at (816) 825-2524 to activate your irrigation, you can save $25 off the fee until June 1!
Because of ample spring rains, some area residents have not turned on their sprinkler systems for the year yet. However, we have noticed several issues with some of the systems that we have activated for the year. Here are the common problems we have seen and tips for how to fix them.
Backflow Testing
Backflow is when dirty water flows into a clean water line. This then contaminates the clean water line. Contaminated water can be harmful or even deadly. This is why backflow preventers are required on irrigation systems. Backflow preventers should be tested yearly when the system is turned on. A certification is required to perform this testing, and we have someone on staff who can help.
Are Heads Working?
After the backflow preventer is tested, the next step is making sure all the heads are working properly. Mowers will damage heads that do not retract all the way. Sometimes the damage is not obvious until the system is cycled across all the zones. This is a good time to make sure the heads are aimed properly so all the lawn and plants get watered while minimizing wasted water shooting over hardscape or at the house.
Grass and Weed Problems
Sometimes we encounter issues where the grass or weeds have grown over the sprinkler head and are preventing it from going up. A bit of weeding is all that is necessary to get the head up.
Geysers
Geysers indicate the whole head must be repaired or replaced. In some areas, you can even get a ticket for a geyser that causes problems for your neighbors. Even without the ticket, the fountains shooting up can waste a lot of water and can keep the rest of the sprinkler system from having enough pressure to water properly.
Drip Tubing to Flowerpots
If you have flowerpots that need water, you can hook them up to an existing sprinkler system. If you do not want to do this, we can do it for an additional fee when we check your sprinkler system for you.
Lawn Sprinkler Subscription Service
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping now offers a lawn sprinkler subscription service. We have three levels of service: Fresh Impressions, Lush Landscape, and Royal Treatment. With the Fresh Impressions subscription, we will activate your sprinkler system, inspect it at activation, inspect the system for the summer and adjust the watering schedule if needed, and winterize your sprinkler system. For the Lush Landscape level, add an additional seasonal inspection, a zone diagram, and 5% off any repairs. Finally, for the Royal Treatment level, we add two extra seasonal inspections for a total of four, we remotely adjust your irrigation to add the right amount of water for the temperature six times, 10% off any repairs, and you have priority scheduling. Call the office at (816) 825-2524 to enroll.
