How do I Turn My Pool into a Garden?

If you have an unused inground pool, you can transform it into a productive garden by either filling it completely with soil or converting the shell into a raised bed. The process involves draining, cleaning, adding drainage, and choosing the right planting setup for your climate and goals. This guide walks through every practical step so you can make informed decisions and avoid common mistakes.

Why Would Someone Turn a Pool Into a Garden?

Old pools can become costly to maintain, unsafe for children or pets, or simply unwanted. Many homeowners find that pool removal and conversion into a garden adds usable outdoor space, reduces water and chemical expenses, and increases property value when done properly. A converted pool garden also requires less ongoing work than a pool, though initial labor is significant.

What Are the First Steps Before Filling a Pool?

Before you start, check your local building codes and homeowners association (HOA) rules. Many areas require a permit for pool removal, especially if you plan to leave the shell in place. Contact your municipality to understand requirements for drainage, utility lines, and property lines. Also call 811 (in the US) to mark underground gas, electric, and water lines near the pool.

Next, decide whether you will completely remove the pool shell or keep it as a structure for a raised garden bed. Partial removal is cheaper but may limit future land use if you ever want to build on that spot.

Can You Leave the Pool Shell and Plant Directly Into It?

Yes, you can repurpose the pool shell as a large planter box, but there are critical considerations. Fiberglass or gunite shells can be left in place as long as you drill drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging. Concrete shells should be inspected for cracks or leaching chemicals that could harm plants. A waterproof liner or barrier is often recommended to isolate roots from old pool chemicals.

If you choose this route, you will need to cut or drill multiple drainage holes (roughly 4–6 inches apart) through the bottom of the shell. Use a hammer drill with a masonry bit for concrete or gunite. Then fill the bottom with a 6–12 inch layer of gravel or crushed stone before adding raised bed soil mix.

How Do You Completely Fill a Pool for a Garden?

Complete filling involves three main stages: draining, puncturing the shell, and adding fill material. Here’s the process:

1. Drain the pool completely. Use a sump pump or a submersible pump. If the pool has been chemically treated, do not pump water into storm drains—discharge it onto your lawn in multiple spots so it soaks in and doesn’t overwhelm the ground. Follow local water disposal rules.
2. Punch drainage holes in the bottom of the shell (or break up the bottom with a jackhammer) so water can escape rather than pool. This prevents future ponding and root rot.
3. Fill the pool with clean fill dirt in layers. Use a mix of gravel at the bottom (about 12–18 inches) for drainage, then compacted clean fill or sandy loam soil for the top 2–3 feet. Avoid using heavy clay, construction debris, or high-organic topsoil directly because it will settle unevenly.
4. Compact each layer with a hand tamper or plate compactor to reduce future sinking. Allow the fill to settle for at least one full season (or water it heavily over several weeks) before planting anything permanent.

What Kind of Soil Should You Use?

The best soil for a former pool garden is a loamy mix that drains well yet holds enough moisture for plant roots. Avoid straight topsoil because it can turn to mud. A recommended blend is:

• 50% screened topsoil
• 30% compost or organic matter (like aged manure or leaf mold)
• 20% coarse sand or perlite for drainage

If you are planting directly into the shell (leaving walls), use a raised bed soil mix that is lighter and better draining than garden soil. You can add lime to raise pH if needed—old concrete can make soil alkaline.

Check the pH before planting with a reliable soil test kit. Many old pool shells leave residual alkalinity. Soil test kit helps you adjust the pH to 6.0–7.0 for most vegetables and flowers.

Which Plants Grow Best in a Converted Pool Garden?

Because a filled pool often sits slightly above the surrounding ground (bermed), the soil may warm up faster in spring and dry out quicker. Good options include:

• Deep-rooted vegetables like tomatoes, squash, peppers, and cucumbers that benefit from deep, loose soil.
• Perennial flowers and shrubs such as lavender, butterfly bush, or ornamental grasses that prefer well-drained conditions.
• Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage that handle drier spots.
• Native plants suited to your region’s rainfall—they need less water and care.

Avoid water-loving plants like willows, ferns, or bog plants unless you intentionally keep the pool shell and create a pond garden. Also avoid trees with aggressive roots that could crack the shell if you left it intact.

Do You Need to Add a Drainage System?

Yes, proper drainage is essential whether you fill the pool or convert it to a planter. Without it, the space can become a soggy sinkhole or a mosquito breeding ground. For a fully filled pool:

• Drill 4–6 inch diameter holes through the shell bottom every 3–4 feet.
• Lay perforated PVC drainage pipe in a trench with gravel before adding fill. This creates a French drain beneath the garden.
• Route the outlet away from the pool area toward a lower spot or dry well.

If you are making a raised bed from the shell, drill large holes in the walls near the bottom (6–12 inches up) so excess water can drain out sideways.

What About the Pool Filter, Pump, and Equipment?

All mechanical equipment—pump, filter, heater, chlorinator—should be removed or disconnected. You can leave underground pipes if they are capped and will not leak, but it is safer to remove them entirely to avoid accidental punctures later. The electricity to the pool pump should be disconnected by a licensed electrician. Seal or remove any electrical conduits that enter the pool area.

How Much Does It Cost to Turn a Pool Into a Garden?

Costs vary widely by location, access, and whether you do the labor yourself. Here is a rough cost breakdown for a standard 20x40-foot inground pool (16,000 gallon size):

If you leave the shell in place and use it as a raised bed, costs drop significantly because you skip removal and fill less material.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid?

Common errors that lead to frustration or failure:

• Skipping drainage holes – without them, rainwater turns the pool into a bathtub, drowning roots.
• Using poor fill material – construction debris, heavy clay, or uncompacted fill cause extreme settling and poor plant growth.
• Planting too soon – fill needs at least a few months to settle. Otherwise, your garden will sink unevenly, and plants may heave.
• Ignoring pH – old concrete shells can push pH above 8.0, locking up nutrients. Test and amend before planting.
• Not capping utilities – a cut gas line or live wire can become a serious hazard.
• Forgetting access – you may need heavy equipment to bring fill in; ensure you have a clear path for trucks or wheelbarrows.

How Long Does the Whole Project Take?

A simple conversion (leave shell, drill holes, fill) can be done in a weekend if you have the materials ready. A full removal and fill usually takes 2–4 weeks, including time for permits, machinery rental, and soil settling. Plan the heavy work during dry weather—spring or early fall is ideal. Avoid winter in cold climates because frost can crack the shell during removal.

Can You Use the Old Pool Water for the Garden?

No. Pool water contains chlorine, algaecides, and other chemicals that can harm soil life and plant roots. Always drain the pool and let the water evaporate or dispose of it properly. If you must use the water temporarily for irrigation, let it sit in an open tank for at least 48 hours so chlorine dissipates, but it’s still risky. Best practice: dump the old water onto grass or a non-garden area.

Turning Your Pool Into a Garden: The Final Checklist

Before you start planting, make sure you have completed these steps:

• Obtain permits and mark utilities.
• Drain and dispose of pool water properly.
• Remove or disable pump, filter, and electrical equipment.
• Drill drainage holes in shell (if keeping structure).
• Place gravel base and drainage pipe (at least 12 inches).
• Fill with compacted clean dirt in layers.
• Settle fill for 1–3 months (water weekly to speed settlement).
• Test soil pH and amend as needed.
• Add raised bed soil or garden-quality topsoil on top (6–12 inches).
• Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses for efficient watering.
• Choose plants that match your sunlight and drainage conditions.

If you plan to build raised garden beds on top of the filled area, use a rot-resistant wood like cedar or composite lumber. Secure them with ground stakes to prevent shifting. Raised garden bed kit can simplify assembly.

How Do I Turn My Pool Into a Garden and Keep It Low Maintenance?

The key to a low-maintenance pool-to-garden conversion is proper initial preparation. Once the fill is settled, drainage works, and soil is balanced, you can focus on mulching heavily (3–4 inches of wood chips or straw) to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Use a drip irrigation system with a timer to water deeply but infrequently, which encourages deep roots and reduces your weekly chores. Choose perennial vegetables and herbs that come back year after year, such as asparagus, rhubarb, chives, and oregano. Avoid high-maintenance annuals unless you enjoy replanting each season. With the right foundation, a former pool can become a thriving, nearly self-sustaining garden that requires far less time and money than maintaining the pool ever did.

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