- Protect Grass from an Inflatable Pool \u2013 The Right Way<\/a><\/li>
- What Won\u2019t Protect Your Grass<\/a><\/li>
- How to Repair Grass When Swimming Season is Over<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Pools and Grass<\/a><\/li>
- Leave the Grass to the Pros<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Protect Grass from an Inflatable Pool \u2013 The Right Way<\/h2>
No doubt about it, an inflatable pool filled with water left on the lawn all summer will kill the grass. But here are two options that can help prevent the grass from turning brown. <\/p>
Option No. 1<\/h3>
![\"Inflatable](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/9306657266_b340ba3a1f_c-646x485.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Hefin Owen<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> The best advice is to <\/strong>not<\/em><\/strong> put the inflatable pool on the grass<\/strong>. It only takes a couple of days for the pool to damage the grass.<\/p>
In just one day, the grass will show the yellow signs of stress. That\u2019s because the inflatable pool smothers the grass, depriving it of air, water, and sunlight. By day two or three, the lack of those elements will trigger dormancy in the lawn. After about two weeks, the grass will be dead.<\/p>
Consider placing the inflatable pool on a hard surface, such as driveway, patio, or deck.<\/p>
Option No. 2<\/h3>
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/water-grass-people-lawn-play-summer-801597-pxhere.com_-646x485.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxHere<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Move the inflatable pool every day or two.<\/strong> This may be easy with a small kiddie pool, but moving a medium or large water-filled pool usually isn\u2019t possible. If you\u2019re using a large kiddie pool, it\u2019s best to avoid the grass altogether. Draining a large pool daily to move it also isn\u2019t sustainable, as it\u2019s a waste of water. <\/p>
When draining a small kiddie pool, don\u2019t be tempted to dump the water onto your yard. Dumping that much water in your landscape can cause temporary flooding, which may be harmful to grass and other plants. Rather than dumping the pool, use an electric pump that siphons the water through a hose, which can lead to a drain.<\/p>
What Won\u2019t Protect Your Grass<\/h2>
Myth No. 1: Lay a Ground Cover<\/h3>
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/48160972557_e565b282aa_c-646x363.jpg\")
Photo Credit: slgckgc<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> In this case, the ground cover isn\u2019t plants, but a plastic tarp instead. Even though some online sources suggest protecting the grass with a ground cover, the tarp\u2019s real role is to protect the bottom of the pool and make walking and sitting in the pool more comfortable. Its function isn\u2019t to protect the grass. <\/p>
Myth No. 2: Interlocking Tiles<\/h3>
Some interlocking tiles are designed with open spaces to allow for air circulation. These are made of different materials from PVC and other plastics to foam. Placing them underneath the pool might give the grass a chance to breathe, but it won\u2019t solve the sunlight problem. The pool will still block the sunlight and prevent the grass from photosynthesizing. <\/p>
Myth No. 3: Carpet<\/h3>
Although somewhat breathable, the underside of the carpet may slow water (from splashes, for instance) from draining. Carpet padding is not recommended because it will hold water. Holding water or not allowing it to drain may encourage fungus growth.<\/p>
Myth No. 4: Sand<\/h3>
Sand may seem like a logical choice, but it is not stable. Sand easily shifts and washes away in rain or windstorms, so it would not stay level underneath the pool. <\/p>
How to Repair Grass When Swimming Season is Over<\/h2>
Once you remove the summer pool, you may be eager to repair the damaged grass. Here are a few options that can help restore the lawn. <\/p>
Rehydrate<\/h3>
![\"Boy](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1024px-Boy_making_a_rainbow_with_a_garden_hose-646x485.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Photwik Photographer for Kiddle.co<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> The grass is likely craving water. Water the grass daily if there is no rain. Continue until the grass is thriving again.<\/p>
Mow to encourage growth<\/h3>
![\"Lawn](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/lawnmower-800-646x279.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Use a mower to lightly cut or weed whack the area, which will encourage the grass to grow. Allow the grass clippings<\/a> to remain on the soil\u2013\u2013 the organic matter adds trace nutrients to the soil. Hold off on fertilizing until growth has resumed. Read and follow the label directions.<\/p>
Sow Grass Seed<\/h3>
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/rsz_rsz_hand-grass-seed-shutterstock_136965278-646x431.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Part of the problem with reseeding an area of dead grass is the season. Warm-season grass<\/a>, which grows best in warmer climates, ought to be planted in summer. So if you live in a warm climate, consider removing the pool a few weeks before the cold weather hits so that your warm-season grass seed has enough time to germinate. <\/p>
Cool-season grass<\/a> grows best in colder climates and ought to be planted in early fall. Aim to plant the grass seed at least 45 days before the first expected frost. <\/p>
Here\u2019s how to prepare the area for new grass seed: <\/p>
- Scrape off or dig out the dead grass.<\/li>
- Apply a 1- or 2-inch layer of compost or compost mixed with topsoil.<\/li>
- Soak the layer.<\/li>
- Apply grass seed, according to label directions.<\/li>
- Water the new planting as recommended on the product label.<\/li>
- Mow when the grass is about 4 to 6 inches high.<\/li><\/ol>
Lay Sod<\/h3>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/pexels-anna-shvets-5231236-646x430.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Watching grass grow is like watching paint dry. For instant gratification, try laying sod<\/a> on the lawn after removing the dead grass and adding compost and topsoil. Keep the sod well watered until established. <\/p>
Install Something New<\/h3>
![\"Yin](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/8618843702_73614152b7_c-646x485.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kyle Pearce<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> The spot for your inflatable pool doesn\u2019t have to be a grassy area. Consider transforming the space with a fire pit<\/a>, container garden<\/a>, or yard game<\/a> play area. Shredded mulch or artificial turf can make excellent ground covers. When summer arrives and you\u2019re ready to bring out the pool, simply move the containers, fire pit, and games to a new spot. <\/p>
FAQ About Pools and Grass<\/h2>
Should the ground cover be larger than the floor of the inflatable pool?<\/strong>Ideally, the ground cover should be about one foot larger than the pool or the same size.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>
What will an inflatable pool do to my artificial turf?<\/strong>The weight of the pool and water will likely flatten the artificial turf<\/a>, but you can brush the turf back into shape.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>
I want to put my inflatable pool on my concrete driveway. Will I still need a ground cover?<\/strong>Yes. The concrete (wood or other hard surface) can damage the bottom of the pool. A ground cover will help prevent that.<\/p> <\/div>
How much does pool installation cost?<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Tired of lugging out the pool each summer? You might want to consider installing a permanent fixture. Here are the average costs for various pool types: <\/p>
- What Won\u2019t Protect Your Grass<\/a><\/li>