Happy first day of summer and welcome to Corona Virus Summer, Part II. Last summer, we remained safer at home. I developed a new appreciation for making my home as comfortable as possible. Part of that was creating my own patio paradise. It has been a lifesaver because the corona virus put a big dent in my earnings; a trip to the beach is not happening this summer.
My apartment complex doesn’t have a pool and all the pools were closed last summer. So, I improvised…
Let me regale you with all the advantages of creating your own patio paradise…
- It’s a fun project that results in something you’ll enjoy every day (even without the pool).
- It’s affordable. We’re talking $4 table cloths, $5 throw pillows and dollar solar lights.
- It’s an automatic mood booster. I have my tea there in the mornings and in the afternoon, aqua therapy!
- It’s private. I don’t feel self-concious in a bathing suit when I’m in my patio pool!
- It’s open 24/7. You know how pools close after Labor Day? Well, you can keep your pool open as long as you want! You can take a dip at night!
Here are some Patio Paradise tips. . .
In July, start looking out for yellow jackets. I saw several on the fence while relaxing in my pool this afternoon. They are attracted to water, especially puddles. One was drinking from my Zen fountain today so that will stay unfilled for a while. Read how to keep them and bees away from your pool and patio (keeping the pool clean and using a pool cover are two ways). I would not recommend putting a child’s wading pool in the grass if yellow jackets are active in your yard (they may be nesting in the ground). Yellow jackets are most active between about now and into the fall. They are attracted to sweet things, meat (even pet food), trash and nectar producing flowers. Because of this, you may want to enjoy juices, sandwiches, etc. indoors to avoid getting stung if you see yellow jackets around your yard or patio. They become increasingly aggressive to people on humid days and in September when their food supplies run low. My college alumni picnic was ruined one late summer when yellow jackets swarmed our picnic tables and ate all our deli trays! Usually, they are not active at night or in the early morning. They will not be active when the temperature drops below 50 degrees Farenheit.
Save money on patio furniture by buying secondhand or accepting donated furniture.
Save money on fun, summer decor. I found paper lanterns that light up, signs, and solar stake lights at Dollar Tree (as well as flip flops, sunglasses, books and snacks). At Walmart, I found fun, large yarn pom pom garlands ($3), solar string lights ($11), citronella candle ($5), table cover ($4) and a pillow ($5). I got an inflatable ottoman ($5) at Five Below and vinyl outdoor rugs, tropical pillows and a metal side table at Michael’s.
If you can’t find summer-style solar stake lights, here is a creative way to take those regular Dollar Tree solar stake lights sold year round and easily transform them into outdoor patio, deck, garden or balcony lighting that is truly magical at night…and no batteries required!
Select a small to medium size inflatable pool. A good size “sunning pool” for adult use 60 to 66 inches in diameter and 15 to 18 inches high. The large Intex Sunset Glow pool (not the much smaller baby version) in these photos is 66 inches in diameter and 18 inches high. The large Intex Crystal Blue, Cool Dots and Watermelon pools are also 66 inches in diameter but 15 inches high. The styles are bright without being juvenile so they are a good choice for adult use. You don’t have to fill them to capacity (about 168 gallons). If you’re filing the pool with a bucket (like me!), you’ll appreciate that a sunning pool is still fun even when it’s half full. This size is spacious enough for one or two adults. You can find these pools for good prices on eBay and Amazon, about $20.
Select a pool that has a plug drain or learn how to siphon it with a garden hose. The only disadvantage of the 66 x 15 inch pools, unlike the large Sunset Glow pool, is that there is no drain hole and plug. Don’t step on the pool to drain it! To drain these pools or those smaller, hard molded plastic wading pools, try this easy method to siphon the water out with a garden hose.
Use an electric air pump to inflate your pool. My battery-powered Intex pump ($10, Walmart) inflated my 66 x 18 inch pool in a half hour.
Do not completely inflate your pool, though. Leave a little room for hot air to expand. It will also help keep it from popping or leaking.
Use a child’s bait net ($4, Walmart) as a pool skimmer to clean leaves or bugs out of the pool.
Keep algae and bacteria under control by adding a small amount of household bleach and a teaspoon of baking soda for every 25 gallons of water. If you don’t do this, you can use your pool for two days before draining it and cleaning it. Test the PH with pool strips. If you have a larger inflatable pool, you will most likely need a chlorinator and and an electric filtering pump to keep your pool clean, clear and safe for family use.
Use a pool cover to keep out debris. For small inflatable pools like this, a spare shower curtain (or new from Dollar Tree $1) drapes over the sides or floats on the surface. Surface tension prevents it from sinking, like magic!
Replace water lost from evaporation every couple of days and empty completely in no more than 2 weeks.
When the weather cools, consider transforming your empty pool into a patio lounge for star gazing or outdoor movie watching (credit: DIYjoy.com).
Please note: Please do not put an inflatable pool this size on your balcony (and even some decks) as water is quite heavy. If you have children, please supervise them carefully, especially children with autism who may be attracted to the water. Drowning is the number one cause of death in people with autism; a child with autism could wander onto your property and not be aware of the danger. Children playing in or near pools must be supervised every second by an adult. Consider emptying your pool when not in use. Have a safe summer and thanks for reading!
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