Landscaping Around my Above Ground Pool

by Mrs. Matlack

What can I put around my above the ground pool that will not cause the wall to deteriorate? I would like to put down stones with rounded edges that would cover the bottom four inches of the pool wall. The pool was sunk four inches to meet the old deck height.



Hi Mrs. Matlack. It is very unlikely that anything you put around your pool would hurt the sidewall. I do, however, recommend that you put down landscaping plastic before you spread out the rock. Weeds, grass and other growth need to be kept away from the pool so the roots do not grow under it and come up through the liner. The plastic around the pool will help to prevent growth and would also protect the sidewall.

This page might also be helpful.

Above Ground Swimming Pool Landscaping

Landscape Rock Around Pool

(York, pa)

I was going to use crushed red rock as a border around my above ground pool but when I called to order it they said they did not recommend using this because it would deteriorate my pool. Has anyone heard of this?

We wanted to use this because of a color scheme in our landscape, but do not want to chance ruining a new pool. Our dealer just told us he has never heard this. Need answers. Thanks


Hi. I have seen this happen. Apparently there are some corrosive properties in the red rock. There is no reason for not using it, just keep it from touching the pool.

Rock landscaping around a pool should be on top of landscape plastic. This plastic should extend up the wall preventing the rock from touching the pool. You could also use a bender board up against the pool and put your rock up against it. The small space between the board and the pool wall could be filled in with granite or dirt.

The reason for using plastic around the pool is for weed control. There should never be vegetation within a couple feet of the pool as it tends to grow under the pool and up through the liner. As soon as the pool is full, and the water starts splashing out, everything will want to grow next to the pool. In most cases you either use plastic or you spray weed and grass killer every month.


Red Rock..
by: Phil

Ok...I have red "lava" rock around my SoCal above ground pool. It does have plastic down but not so much against the pool wall, but I haven't had any problems of it deteriorating the pool walls either. My main problem is when it rains, silt from the other side of my covered chain link fence seeps into the pool area and covers the rock. Or at least makes enough of a mess. This is sticky/slimy kind of muddy stuff.

I'm thinking I need to shovel the rock and mud up, put it into buckets to hose off/clean then return the rock to it's bed,etc. Maybe after I get rid of the silt/mud add another layer of red lava rock? Meantime I'd been putting 1x8 boards down a couple inches on the other side of the fence securing em with stakes to try to block any more silt,etc.