[usaf060stud]

Hi,

Bought a house with an above ground pool last fall. It wasn't maintained (full of leafs and debris) and had plenty of tadpoles living in it prior to purchase. The plan is to get rid of it, which doesn't look like very hard thing to do. We don't want a summer of frogs living there and a major food source for snakes and other predators.

If I was to get rid of the pool (leaving alone the wood deck), it would expose bare dirt. Is there anything I can do (without too much work)to the dirt to minimize weed growth on the bare dirt?

 

[Bondo]

Not really,.... Seeds blow in on the wind, 'n if there's moisture, they grow,......

 

[chandler48]

Typar on the dirt, and mulch over it will help keep weeds on top of the typar and make them easier to pull up. You're not gonna stop weeds, as Bondo says, they are airborne.........JUST LIKE CV19 !!!! Sorry, I couldn't help it.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Consider researching one of the many shade loving ground cover plants that would inhibit weed growth and be low maintenance. If that can't be considered a soil sterilizer may be your best option.

 

[Mystriss]

Up here we put plastic sheeting over topsoil piles to stop as many weeds as possible. Some still get in there, but it's better than not having the plastic over em.

If you're planning to leave it permanently not grassy then, or at least with Alaskan weeds, the only option would be to dig down an inch or more, put down weed blocker fabric, and cover with mulch or gravel. That way you only have to pull weeds once in a while to keep it clean... That usually lasts about 10 years or so before enough dirt gets between the mulch or gravel to seed some chickweed, moss, or, ya know, spruce trees heh

 

[DoomsDave]

@usaf060stud, what are your long-term plans for that former pool site?

Absent anything specific, I think @Mystriss' idea is the best, at least for now.

Be careful about soil sterilants! They can end up where they're not wanted. They also deplete your bank account over time, especially in a place like where you are where it rains a lot.

 

[Colbyt]

Can't see what structure you might have there but it sure looks like a beautiful spot for a gazebo.



Preen will prevent germination in the short term but the best solution is to plant some that will do well in than location. Do not use Preen if you plan to seed something in the next 6 months.

 

[DoomsDave]

Also, if you want to cover it to prevent growth, and you don't want to spend a huge amount, you might want to cover it with cardboard. It will be butt-ugly, but it will also be cheap if you can find CB that's to be recycled.

Cardboard also works great to annihilate stubborn weeds by smothering them.

 

[LS-6]

You can plant some shady grass seed and spray the weeds after the grass is welly established. Lack of sun will not help and the leafs from all those trees will hinder grass growth.

 

[chandler48]

I have a problem with just putting plastic down to control weeds. It would seem the plastic would cause a water problem down hill since the water will just either pool up or run off. Using a semi permeable membrane would allow water to soak in but prevent weeds from growing from the ground.