How to Landscape After Removing an Above Ground Pool | DIY Guide

Removing an above ground pool is a significant home improvement project that instantly creates a blank canvas for your yard. While the sight of a giant metal ring and sunken sand is gone, you are likely left with an uneven patch of dirt, damaged grass, and possibly sand or debris scattered across the landscape. Transforming this post-pool chaos into a functional and beautiful space requires careful planning and execution. This guide outlines the essential steps to landscape after removing an above ground pool, ensuring a smooth transition from swimming hole to finished yard.

Assessing the Damage and Planning Your New Layout

The first step after pool removal is to take a long, honest look at the state of your yard. Above ground pools often leave behind more than just a flat spot; the weight of the walls can compact the soil, and the removal process can tear up surrounding grass and disrupt drainage patterns. You need to evaluate the topography, looking for low spots where water might pool and high spots that create visual imbalance. At this stage, you should also consider how you want to use the space. Will it become a play area for kids, a space for outdoor dining, a spot for lush gardens, or a combination of these? Sketching a rough plan on paper will help you visualize the final result and decide where to place pathways, plants, and furniture.

Soil Remediation and Leveling

Chances are, the soil where the pool sat is compacted and lacks the nutrients needed for healthy grass. Before you can lay down sod or plant seeds, you need to address the soil quality. Core aeration can help alleviate compaction, but often, the best approach is to bring in fresh topsoil to cover the old, poor soil. This is also your opportunity to correct the grade. You need to ensure the new soil slopes away from the house foundation to prevent water damage, typically at a gradient of about 6 inches over the first 10 feet. Raking the soil smooth and firming it down lightly with a roller will provide a stable base for the landscaping materials you install next.

Selecting the Right Ground Cover

Choosing what to put on the newly leveled surface is one of the most critical landscape decisions. You essentially have three main options, each suited to different climates, budgets, and maintenance preferences. The fastest solution is installing sod, which provides an instant green lawn but requires consistent watering for the first few weeks to root properly. If you prefer a more drought-tolerant or eco-friendly option, seeding the area with a quality grass mix is effective, though it takes several months to establish. For areas where grass struggles to grow or for a low-maintenance aesthetic, consider spreading decorative river rock or installing a hardscape feature like pavers or stepping stones.

Reintroducing Plants and Hardscaping

With the ground cover selected, you can begin to reintroduce structure and color to the space. The absence of the pool wall creates a unique opportunity to build raised garden beds along the perimeter. This adds visual interest and allows you to cultivate flowers or vegetables without bending over a large, flat area. If you opt for a lawn, you will need to edge it with metal or stone borders to keep the grass contained and prevent it from spreading into garden beds. This is also the time to plan the placement of large shrubs or trees, ensuring you account for their mature size so they don’t interfere with structures or power lines in the future.

Addressing Safety and Accessibility

It is easy to overlook practicalities once the aesthetic design is in place, but safety and accessibility are paramount. If the pool was surrounded by a deck, you might need to decide whether to remove the deck entirely or repurpose it into a patio for a fire pit or outdoor kitchen. Ensure that any new pathways are wide enough for maintenance and that changes in level are handled with steps or gradual slopes to prevent tripping hazards. Check your local building codes regarding retaining walls if you significantly change the grade on a sloped yard, as permits may be required for major earthmoving projects.

Final Touches and Long-Term Maintenance

The last phase of the project involves the details that bring the landscape to life. This includes installing a new irrigation system tailored to the shape of the new lawn or the water needs of specific plantings. Laying down a layer of mulch around trees and shrubs helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, giving new plantings the best chance to thrive. To ensure your investment lasts, establish a regular maintenance routine that includes proper mowing, fertilizing, and seasonal clean-up. Viewing this transformation as the start of a long-term relationship with your yard will help you stay motivated to keep the space looking its best year-round.