We already had an area from our last pool but we needed to make an even larger area for the new pool and landscaping. Living in Minnesota we have to take down our pool every fall and set up in the spring.

Lay out the area where your pool and landscaping will go. We suggest renting a sod cutter to make your job much much easier! Then let the sod cutter rip! We listed our sod for free on Craigslist but maybe even charge enough to cover the cost of the sod cutter rental.

After you have installed your pool on level ground and filled it, it's time for the fun part. We purchased landscaping timbers from our local Menards for the border of the area. My husband used black plastic landscape edging around the pool and zip tied it to the poles so that the river rock would not fall down near the liner of the pool and possibly puncture the pool. River rock is mostly smooth stones anyways but you never know!

Before laying down the stone, we covered the area with landscaping fabric. We then layed down the smooth stepping stones which we installed along the pool as a path to the ladder and also our sand filter and pump. So that we can see in the dark, we used some solar landscaping lights placed along the path. Finally we filled in the area with the river rock we purchased from a local garden nursery and had delivered. River rock is smooth so it won't hurt your feet when you step on it and is a little heavier than pea gravel which will stick to wet feet.

Over where our ladder sits, we installed some hooks for towels on the fence. We also placed some square stepping stones so the ladder has a firm base to sit on when it's in the pool and there is somewhere to step off of the ladder. My husband also built a pvc pipe holder for all the pool floaties. Now it's time to sit back and enjoy your pool!!!! Bonus, no grass to mow or weed whack around the pool and it doesn't stick to feet and get in your pool either!