Tucson Lifestyle Home and Garden • August 2019 • The Fill of It All

Pools are cool, but sometimes you just need more yard space! Check out how two local landscaping firms solved the problem for their clients.

The homeowners felt their pool required too much time, money and water. They wanted to replace it with more usable outdoor space.

Proper permits and inspections were arranged for filling in the pool. The water was then drained and holes were cut into the bottom. The old pool decking was broken up and used to help fill in the hole, with tons of additional soil. The former hole was compacted to prevent settling. The new hardscape plan included the installation of a brick patio. Lighting, rockwork and plantings completed the reimagined space. A metal sculpture by Jeannine Young became the patio’s focal point.

The residents no longer had a use for their aging pool. Conscious of water and electricity usage, pool service and repairs, they envisioned a return to nature. They hired a professional to replace the pool space with a native plant garden to attract native birds, butterflies and wildlife.

The entire pool was removed. The materials were crushed and reused in road construction projects. The bottom layer of the basin was constructed like a leach field consisting of large boulders. Filtering cloth prevents the soil from percolating into the rocks. The basin served as a passive water harvesting system. The sides of the basin were covered with Coronado rock, and the floor was spread with matching gravel. No additional soil was necessary. Native plants, grasses and wildflowers were included to add color and texture to the site. Each year the area becomes more lush.