Stairway off the rebuilt deck.
How can I reuse an old pool area?
We have rebuilt the deck which used to be a pool deck. I have a free standing firepit and several flagstones I can put into the existing sand around the firepit. What my thought is to lay landscaping fabric over the sand before placing the flagstone and firepit and then spread white stone over the fabric to create a inexpensive outdoor area. Any thoughts on my thoughts.. any other options I might consider? Thanks, Doug
Top view.
In time for spring in the NE
Related Discussions
GNATS - How to get rid of them?
Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more
Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?
My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?
Growing garlic
Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.
How to keep mice out of your garden?
Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more
What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?
I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.
Best way to kill bush/tree after being cut down?
Just moved into a new home. There was a huge thorny bush dragon devouring the mailbox. I slayed the dragon but it is trying to rise up again. How can I make sure it's... See more
Nightmare neighbors
We have the worst neighbors ever! They complain about everything! They hate dogs so they complain every time our dogs bark one time (not exaggerating) they have fabri... See more
I wouldn't use the landscaping fabric,,will make laying in your stone more difficult. If you are preventing weeds, sterilize ground so nothing will grow by spraying it down with vinegar and salt.
Sounds like a nice plan, enjoy your new seating area.
Do what Kelli suggested. However, I would use a landscape fabric over the sand. Not to prevent weeds (new weed seeds will settle on top of the fabric and can grow down through it over time), but rather to prevent your white stone from migrating down into your sand. Deck came out nice. Enjoy!
Landscaping fabric is a nightmare and would create more problems than it solves because roots grow through the fabric and are a nightmare to pull out. I really wouldn't use the fabric near the fire pit.
Have you got dogs? You could use the existing indentation to set a kiddie pool into the sand before adding the stones, then put flag stone around its edge so the pets have a small pool area, then when weather gets colder, remove the kiddie pool and use the stone area for a seating/gather area. Get a twofer out of it...if no pets, go with Kelli's suggestion
I only use fabric when using stones, as others have said, to keep your stones from sinking into the soil. Weeds will grow on top eventually. Use PREEN weed preventer and spray occasional weeds. I never use fabric with mulch, its a waste of money. Be sure to get the better fabric (not the cheap one), for using with stones. Well worth it. Home Depots is called Vigoro Matrix Grid Landscape Fabric, it's gray and looks more like fiberglass than window screening. Use back side of your rake when spreading stones, otherwise you'll snag the fabric. If the old pool area is sunken a bit, be sure to consider drainage for rain run-off; so you don't have a pool of rocks. a simple rock dry riverbed leading away to a lower area would do the trick most likely.
We had a similar situation when we moved into our house 30 years ago. The previous owners had placed the pool over the septic tank and 2 days before settlement a problem with the septic was discovered and we were left with a deck and no pool. I turned the area into an herb garden. Divided the circle into 8ths like a pizza . I used stone that was under the surface of the ground to segment the sections and around the circumference. put a birdbath in the center and then added plants, Taller plants in the center shorter on the outside. I kept chairs on the deck and it was a relaxing place to sit with the scent or herbs drifting up on the breeze.