How To Fix Your Yard After Removing An Above-Ground Pool

Above-ground pools provide the chance to cool off on a hot summer day without paying tens of thousands of dollars. Compared to in-ground pools, above-ground pools are great bargains, but they aren’t permanent fixtures. Damaging the ground beneath your pool is unavoidable. Understandably, you may struggle with how to fix your yard after removing an above-ground pool.

You can fix your yard after removing an above-ground pool if you add a mixture of fresh dirt, topsoil, and compost. Reseed your yard and infuse the fresh soil with vital nutrients such as potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen. Some homeowners replace their above-gound pool with a trampoline, gazebo, and a playground set.

However, it’s worth it to repair your yard, as you may eventually sell your home. That said, gazebos can increase your home’s value, so they are worthy investments. Follow along as we explore how to fix your yard after removing an above-ground pool.

Do Above-Ground Pools Ruin Grass?

Above-ground pools ruin grass in many ways, but it’s mostly because of its weight. Even a 30-foot above-ground pool weighs at least 300 pounds without water in it. Adding water to the pool can increase its weight by 3,000 pounds or more, depending on its capacity.

The vast weight of an above-ground pool full of water is enough to quickly kill grass. That paired with the lack of sunlight, will prevent the grass from growing. This can also cause the soil to become compacted, so you must replace it or add more soil when you remove the pool.

It’s also worth noting that the grass near your above-ground pool can die as well. This sometimes happens when water spills out of the pool and onto the grass. Chlorine kills many plants, and that includes grass. 

How To Fix The Ground After You Remove An Above-Ground Pool

Apply Soil

You can’t do anything with the ground where your above-ground pool once was until you apply soil. The weight of the pool and the water within it can create a deep indentation in the ground. This may lead to impacted soil beneath the pool, and that makes it somewhat useless.

However, that isn’t a problem if you replace the soil and make your yard look better. Some homeowners use a mixture of 50% topsoil and 50% dirt whereas, others use 20% topsoil and 80% dirt. It ultimately depends on what you plan to use the space for.

For example, an even mix of topsoil and dirt is helpful if you plan to grow fruit and vegetables. You may also want to mix some compost in with the soil, especially if you want to start a garden. Let the soil, dirt, and compost sit for 7 to 14 days before you plant anything.

Reseed Your Lawn

Most homeowners don’t want to look at a barren patch of dirt in their backyard that has no grass. That’s why many people are quick to reseed their yards with grass after removing an above-ground pool. However, you must be patient, as you won’t see results right away after reseeding your yard.

It takes up to 3 weeks for grass to become visible and stick out of the ground. Your best bet is to overseed the area where your above-ground pool used to be. This ensures that the grass will grow dense, close together, and without bare patches.

Make sure to buy grass seed that matches the rest of your lawn, or else it will look strange. You may want to hire landscapers if you don’t have the right tools, like an aerator, turf roller, and spreader.

Provide Nutrients

It’s no secret that grass cannot grow without water and nutrients. Fertilizer will kick-start grass growth, and will make it grow faster. However, some homeowners are understandably confused about the best time to water after reseeding.

That’s because this has a lot to do with what type of fertilizer you use. For example, liquid fertilizer can quickly wash away if you water your lawn too soon after application. However, that’s not a problem with granular fertilizer, as water won’t wash it away. 

It takes an average of 3 hours for liquid fertilizer to dry, but it can take up to 6 hours. Avoid fertilizing your lawn after it’s rained or if there is dew on the grass. Otherwise, you may potentially waste important nutrients, like nitrogen and potassium.

Build A Gazebo

Some homeowners aren’t in a hurry to overseed their yards after they remove an above-ground pool. They may be used to seeing a large structure in that spot. In that case, a structure like a gazebo can be built in the spot where the above-ground pool used to be.

Depending on where your above-ground pool was located, it may be the perfect spot for a gazebo. It costs an average of $5,300 to build a gazebo, but you may spend as little as $3,600. You can save money if you build a gazebo yourself, as that cuts out $1,500 to $2,500 in labor costs.

That said, you must obtain a permit before you build a gazebo, or else you may face fines. A contractor can take care of the permit for you if you hire professional help. Make sure to secure your gazebo with anchors, weights, pegs, and walls to protect it from the wind.

Set Up A Trampoline

What better way to replace your above-ground pool than with another family-friendly item? Trampolines offer plenty of fun whether you’re a child or an adult. Today, you can find many great trampolines with nets and safety features that reduce the risk of injury.

You can expect to spend between $200 and $1,500 for a standard above-ground trampoline. Springless above-ground trampolines cost up to $4,000, and they are harder to set up. In-ground trampolines are the priciest, as they cost between $1,000 and $5,000 or more.

While trampolines are fun, it’s worth it to pay extra for one with safety features, as injuries are possible. It’s also important to set rules for your children to protect them from possible injuries. You must also secure your trampoline, especially if you live in an area prone to tornadoes and hurricanes.

Install A Playground

Do you have children? If so, then you can replace your above-ground pool with something else that they will love, like a playground. You don’t need to go all out and spend a fortune, as you can easily build a small, simple playground that your kids will love.

The cost of your backyard playground will vary based on size, material, and features. You can expect to spend between $0.50 and $15 per square foot to professionally install a playground. Simple backyard playgrounds for young children typically cost between $600 and $1,400.

It’s worth it to hire a professional to install the playground for your children’s safety. Consider using rubber mulch for your playground, as you won’t have to worry about splinters. You also won’t have to replace it yearly like you would have to with wood mulch.

Summing It Up

The best way to fix your yard after removing an above-ground pool is to mix dirt with topsoil and reseed it. Fertilize the new soil or mix it with compost to enrich the grass seeds with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. Otherwise, you could install a trampoline, gazebo, or playground.

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• Can You Put An Above-Ground Pool In The Ground? (Find Out Now!)