Baby Pools as Beds?!

Jjean59 3/14/2023, 4:00 pm

I have a couple of medium-sized heavy plastic baby pools that I am contemplating getting rid of, BUT my inner hoarder says that I could plant something in them if I just create drainage holes. Has anyone tried doing this? What is the best way to use them? I could grid them out and have a few corners left over for marigolds or something else small.
Baby Pools as Beds?! 274447

**sanderson** 3/14/2023, 4:20 pm

Kiddie pools usually have toxic plasticizers which are released as the plastic breaks down. That's the downside. I would recommend that you discard it as soon as the plastic starts breaking.

If they are 4' diameter or smaller (doggy pool), go ahead and use them. If they are wider than 4' don't plant in the middle because you won't be able to reach the plants without stepping on the MM or planting a palm. Yes, make a grid.

Anyone else have experience or thoughts?

Soose 3/15/2023, 7:40 am

Don't discard. I'm seeing them used here by many gardeners and the cost has really gone up, like most containers. I've seen:
Onion and garlic planters
Outer container for grow bags...
Holding potatoes, beams, but also corn believe it or not!

The friend, who is an amazing gardener and experimenter says his corn planted this way, started in greenhouse, 3plants to a 5gal bag ( 4 for beans) came earlier 8inch high when friends were just getting into the ground. than so he got two crops in our bad weather last year compared... and weathered storms better than... When storms knocked over friends' corn and they were trying to baby it upright into place, he just set his bags up in the póol again. )

Soose 3/15/2023, 7:41 am

If the pool is bigger, add a separation for a walkway in the middle.

Jjean59 3/15/2023, 9:51 am

Soose wrote:If the pool is bigger, add a separation for a walkway in the middle.

They're not large, the diameter is approximately 4' for each. I was actually thinking about this last night (this forum seems to be on London Time - it's only 9am here at the moment) that I would plant one with a ton of lettuce and radish. The only thing that makes me sad about that is everyones comments on here saying that lettuce turns bitter in hot weather. It will be scorching here before I know it.

Soose 3/15/2023, 10:14 am

I've been reading about heat tolerant greens. And shade cloth.

OhioGardener 3/15/2023, 10:44 am

Jjean59 wrote: The only thing that makes me sad about that is everyones comments on here saying that lettuce turns bitter in hot weather.

Lettuce leaves get bitter when the plant starts to bolt to seed. Look for some bolt-resistant varieties such as Merlot (https://www.rareseeds.com/lettuce-merlot), or Paris Island Cos (https://www.rareseeds.com/lettuce-parris-island-cos). Also, consider providing shade for the lettuce. Even though we get hot, humid summers into the high-90's, I am able to grow leaf lettuce all summer long by planting it in the shade of bigger plants.

There is an old but interesting video on 7 ways to use an old Kiddie pool.

**sanderson** 3/15/2023, 1:38 pm

Jjean59 wrote:. . . (this forum seems to be on London Time - it's only 9am here at the moment) . . . .

It sounds like your Time Zone needs to be corrected. At the top, click on Profile. Then click on Preferences. Select your Time Zone.

Jjean59 3/15/2023, 3:54 pm

Thanks, everyone! I'll look into shade and seeds that won't bolt. (fantastic video OG, great ideas)

And I was able to fix my time issue too. Cool

Sponsored content

Baby Pools as Beds?!

Baby Pools as Beds?!

Re: Baby Pools as Beds?!

Re: Baby Pools as Beds?!

Re: Baby Pools as Beds?!

Re: Baby Pools as Beds?!

Re: Baby Pools as Beds?!

Re: Baby Pools as Beds?!

Re: Baby Pools as Beds?!

Re: Baby Pools as Beds?!

Re: Baby Pools as Beds?!


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.