Tunnell Vision - July 2022

1. Use pool at your own risk.
2. No running, pushing or horseplay in or around the pool.
3. Pool capacity may be limited based on current health regulations.
4. Deck furniture is spaced out according to current health regulations. Do not move deck furniture.
5. Pool may be closed without notice for cleaning.
6. No food or drink within 10 feet of the pool.
7. NO GLASS permitted. Beverages must be in cans or plastic bottles.
8. Smoking is NOT permitted within the pool deck area.
9. Diapered children must wear rubber pants or disposable diapers designed for swimming.
10. No children under twelve (12) years of age will be permitted unless accompanied by an adult of eighteen (18) years of age or older.
11. Anyone with illness, infections or open cuts is not permitted in the pool area.
12. No chewing gum in the pool.
13. No swearing or profanity will be permitted.
14. No pets are allowed (other than trained and certified service animals).
15. Please shower before entering pool.
16. Large flotation devices (exceeding 6 feet in length) may only be used with the permission of the lifeguard. The lifeguard may prohibit any or all flotation devices.
17. Only one diver at a time. Next diver MUST wait for the landing area to be clear of swimmers.
18. No flips off diving board. No diving in shallow water. 
19. LIFEGUARDS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO APPLY FURTHER RESTRICTIONS, IF NECESSARY, TO ENSURE SAFETY AND ORDER. LIFEGUARD'S DECISION ON ALL SAFETY MATTERS IS FINAL.

Summer is here, and with it, hot weather, high humidity and baking sun. Now is the time to make sure your landscape is equip for the intense summer season.



First, consider the plants. With the bright bursts of spring flowering bulbs and trees behind us, it’s time to install summer annual bedding plants. By this time, cool weather annuals such as pansies, snapdragons and sweet alyssum start to look ragged and should be replaced with heat-loving favorites such as Sunpatiens, lantana, salvia and begonias. These annuals will thrive in heat and humidity while flowering until the first frost hits months from now.



For perennials plants, consider adding heat and drought tolerant native and/or pollinator friendly plants that will bloom during the summer months. Coneflower (Echinacea), False Sunflower (Heliopsis) and Russian Sage (Perovskia) are some low-maintenance favorites that grow well in our area while providing color during the hottest times of the year. Summer blooming shrubs such as Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia cv.) and Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata cv.) can provide a flowering backdrop to the landscape while shrugging off high summer temperatures.



To keep the landscape healthy during the hot months, make sure you are watering correctly. It is best to water the landscape in the early morning, right around sunrise. Plants use water more efficiently in the cooler temperatures, plus there is less evaporation from sun and wind. For garden beds, a drip irrigation system that can direct water directly to the area around plants’ roots is a better choice than sprinkler irrigation. Avoid watering during the evening hours, as wet foliage and high overnight humidity can lead to fungal problems.



Most plants appreciate some form of protection to keep their roots cool and alleviate evaporation during hot spells. This can be done with an organic mulch, such as leaf compost, or by underplanting with lower growing perennials and grasses that will shade the ground. Ground protection through mulch or plants will also suppress summer weeds, which can grow at alarming rates as temperatures warm up. An application of a pre-emergent herbicide such as Preen will also keep weed pressure down.



When choosing containers for your patio or deck, consider the color. Dark colors will absorb the sun’s heat and can get extremely hot. Lighter colors will help keep plants’ roots cooler and mitigate water loss due to heat.



Finally, consider human comfort in the landscape. The intense afternoon sun can make outdoor spaces uncomfortable during the summer months. Deciduous shade trees, such as fast-growing Red Maples or Plane Trees, planted in a south or southwest position, will shade a home or outdoor area during the summer while still providing for solar gain during the winter months. Additionally, features such as pergolas and arbors planted with vines or covered with shade cloth can keep outdoor spaces enjoyable even in the heat.