How to Landscape an Above Ground Pool

Do you have an above ground pool? Are you interested in making that pool blend in with your back yard rather that stick out like a sore thumb? Well, check out these tips.

Use “sugar sand”, which is often used in play boxes, to create a small “beach” near the pool. Sand of this grade can often be purchased through a local gravel pit or cement company as well as your local landscaping company. Most of these companies will deliver for a small charge. You can use only about two cubic yards of sand and create a small “beach” where you can put chairs along with a table and grill. We completed the ensemble with beach umbrellas and toys. This is an easy affordable way as well to keep your above ground pool clean and free from grass and other harmful debris.

Use granite. This can also be purchased through a local granite pit or landscaping company. Depending on the size of the pool, you may or may not need as much granite. We have a 15' round, above-ground pool, and used only about four cubic yards of 5/8 granite chips to surround the pool. We completely encircled the bottom of the above ground pool with this beautifully colored granite. This was helpful in tying in the pool to the surrounding landscape.

Accent the beauty of your above ground pool and backyard with plants. Of course, your climate will also play a large factor in the plants you choose.Impatiens and English Ivy’s are great potted plants that can be placed around your pool but can be brought in during the winter so that you do not have to replant every year, particularly if you have placed granite around your pool. If you are looking for a perennial plant that can be planted and will continue to flourish year after year, again depending on your climate, there are several that will fit the bill. Dwarf Rose Bushes, small evergreens, and begonias are hardy and beautiful and their root systems stay relatively small so that you can plant them next to your above ground pool without worry that the roots will damage the liner or walls of the pool. Of course, it is always a good idea to check with your local landscaper to get more ideas for what works best in your region.

Tips

• Lansdscaping an above ground pool can be fun and easy! No matter how you do it, whether you create a simple landsacping theme or go with something more elaborate, you can be sure that it will be a credit to your backyard and permanent above ground pool.

Warnings

• Please be sure that the above ground pool you are landscaping around is permanent. It is simply a waste of time to landscape around an inflatable pool that has to be taken down and removed with the seasons. Inflatable pools are also more subject to damages and have a very short life span.