What to put around above ground pool

Q: What can I put around my pool instead of mulch?

Gravel or Landscape Rocks Gravel doesnt do much to prevent weeds, though, but thats what landscape fabric is for. Laying gravel or landscape rocks around the bottom of your pool can create a beautiful perimeter that requires no maintenance other than picking up the occasional stray pebble.

Then you want to place a layer of crushed stone around the perimeter. Start with placing a layer of landscaping fabric down to prevent weed growth. The layer of stone should be placed several inches high onto the wall and about 1-2 feet away from the pool. This layer of stone provides two long lasting guards against pool failure. First being that the crushed stone acts as a barrier from letting hard rains to penetrate underneath the pool wall and deteriorate the base. Second is that having crushed stone against the wall instead of dirt will allow water to dissipate and dry quicker. This action will allow the pool wall to remain as dry as possible so it won’t oxidize before its time.

Table of Contents Show

Planting around your above ground pool
Landscaping Don’ts
What do you put around the perimeter of an above ground pool?
What can I put around my pool instead of mulch?
What is the best rock to put around an above ground pool?
What is the best material to put around a pool?

Planting around your above ground pool

If you plan on planting around your above ground pool make sure you find plants that are well suited for the moister and chemicals from

your pool. We also recommend installing landscaping edging between the pool wall and the plant. This will keep the roots from getting under the pool liner which can cause channels in the liner.

If you’re looking for maximum benefit then go with a bigger crushed stone like 3/4 inch – 1 and 1/4 inch in size. Try and avoid acid washed stone as this will get acid on the wall and rust if quicker than Mother Nature ever could.

Landscaping Don’ts

While mulch is a great for Landscaping after you install an above ground pool, material for placing around plants, be careful not to place a mulched area too close to the Pool liner or water. It can be very effective to have mulched plant life around the perimeter of your pool, as a transition

from the pool to your lawn, but take into consideration that liners are made with cellulose; mulch can attract termites, carpenter ants and other bugs that can damage your pool liner. Mulch can also get tracked into the pool on wet feet or when gusty winds blow.

Grass all the way up to the pool can cause two problems. First is, soil in most cases is acidic and can greatly reduce the life span of the pool wall or bottom track. Second is, grass up against the pool wall needs to be trimmed and a Weed Wacker can cause serious damage to a pool wall.

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Posted in Above Ground Pools – Buying & Installing, Pool & Spa News and tagged above ground pool, crushed stone, landscaping, landscaping after you install an Above Ground Pool, lovemypool, Pool, pool liner

There’s something much more inviting about an above ground pool with landscaping than a pool without it. Beautiful shrubs or flowers can transform an ordinary pool into an attractive oasis. Unfortunately, vinyl liners don’t last forever. That’s why knowing the different landscaping options available for above ground pools, their advantages and disadvantages, is important. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Pea gravel or rock is one of the most widely used landscaping materials because it’s available in so many different colors, shapes and sizes. While pea gravel or rocks can give your above ground pool a clean and attractive look, there’s one problem that can occur when your pool’s vinyl liner has to be replaced — your pool’s water must be drained. Because there’s no water weight to hold the landscaping rocks or gravel in place, the pool wall is pushed inward and in some severe cases can collapse the pool wall. This is why you’ll want to make sure you don’t use more than two inches of gravel or rock. Keeping gravel and rock at a low depth will prevent the risk of damage to your pool when the liner needs to be replaced.

Pea gravel or rock can be expensive which is why many above ground pool owners are tempted to use wood chips or pine bark, a staple of landscapers for decades. While wood chips and pine bark can add aesthetically to your pool, they can also hide your pool’s worst enemy — ants and termites. As wood chips or pine bark decay, they become ideal places for ants and termites to take up residence. In fact, ants and termites account for nearly 75% of liner replacements each year. Ants and termites like to dig through the sand that’s beneath pool liners because it’s easier to dig through than the dirt. These pests can put tiny pinholes in your pool’s liner and in extreme cases the number of pinholes is in the hundreds, too many to be able to seal the liner and so it needs to be replaced. This is why wood chips and pine bark aren’t recommended for landscaping beds around above ground pools. By not providing ants and termites with a food source that’s so close to your pool you’ll protect your pool’s liner.

Because wood chips and pine bark attract ants and termites, one of the best options for landscaping around your above ground pool is pine straw. It’s affordable, easy to maintain and provides your pool with an elegant look without the disadvantages or wood chips, pine bark, rocks or pea gravel. The only drawback with pine straw is that it has to be replaced every year or two.

When it comes to landscaping around your above ground pool you should always treat for ants and termites no matter what materials you use. Knowing the pros and cons of available landscaping materials will save your time and money as well as protect your pool’s liner. Check your pool’s warranty for how far up the pool walls you can place landscaping material as every pool is different.

What do you put around the perimeter of an above ground pool?

What can I put around my pool instead of mulch?

Gravel or Landscape Rocks Gravel doesn't do much to prevent weeds, though, but that's what landscape fabric is for. Laying gravel or landscape rocks around the bottom of your pool can create a beautiful perimeter that requires no maintenance other than picking up the occasional stray pebble.

What is the best rock to put around an above ground pool?

Either River Jacks, Brown Landscape Stone, or Pure Red Landscape Stone is a necessity for around an above ground pool.

What is the best material to put around a pool?

Brick and ceramic glazed tile have been long been used for pool deck surfaces. Tile is popular for use along pool copings due to its longevity and finished appearance. Brick is also an attractive, durable material for use along pool borders and pool decks.