How to recycle pool decking for raised garden beds

[tarn]

Hi all - what a great forum!

We've just purchased a house in the north east fringe of melbourne with a timber-decked above ground pool with very dodgey pool fencing on 3/4 acre of sloping land. After watching the heartbreaking 7.30 Report on the ABC about toddler drownings earlier this week (we have a toddler), the first thing we want to do is dismantle the above ground pool and use the decking & posts for rustic-looking raised vegie garden beds. We plan to site the veg garden on the roughly level ground that is currently under the pool. I imagine we'll have to do a bit of leveling & low retaining wall work, but for the moment I just have a few questions, bearing in mind that we are on a very tight budget:

1. Can we just slowly drain the pool onto our land? we're on septic so the water can't go to sewers and we don't have water tanks installed yet. Just use a garden hose to siphon slowly?
2. If we want to give away/sell the pool & filters etc itself, where and how should we advertise. If we can't even give it away will a local tip be likely to take it?
3. Can we use the decking (don't know what sort of wood it is but it looks like pretty standard decking) for the sides of the raised garden beds or do you think they won't be sturdy enough or may be treated with toxic substances so shouldn't be used?

Also, I was wondering, if its ok to use, what would be a good way of constructing the beds using the decking. I was wondering if you could cut to length & stack the decking to, say 25 cms in height, drill a hole through the stack & fix the stack "wall" in place by hammering in steel posts through the drill hole. Then do the other 3 walls similarly. Not sure if you can picture it, but any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I know these will deteriorate over time but we really need to spend our $'s on other things at the moment and this seems like a cheap and easy way of building the beds.

Thanks so much for any hints & tips!
Cheers,
tarn

[Terrian]

1. Can we just slowly drain the pool onto our land? we're on septic so the water can't go to sewers and we don't have water tanks installed yet. Just use a garden hose to siphon slowly?

you on the high side or low side of the road ? (has to be one or the other, there are no level areas in Warrandyte
BTW, pool water would not be good for drinking

2. If we want to give away/sell the pool & filters etc itself, where and how should we advertise. If we can't even give it away will a local tip be likely to take it?

Trading post, the tip will take almost anything as long as you are willing to pay...

3. Can we use the decking (don't know what sort of wood it is but it looks like pretty standard decking) for the sides of the raised garden beds or do you think they won't be sturdy enough or may be treated with toxic substances so shouldn't be used?

most likely not sturdy enough.

[tarn]

Thanks Terrian,

The land adjacent to the pool slopes away down to a gully but the water would most likely run across our neighbors patch of bush after ours soaked up a bit. I would let the neighbors know as they might think something has sprung a leak.

Re: the water tanks - I was only thinking about using them for the garden and given enough time the chlorine levels in the pool water would drop so wouldn't be toxic to plants. just feels wrong to waste so much water but I guess in the grand scheme of things its not that much

Since you think the decking isn't sturdy enough for garden beds I think I could use them for a little paling fence around the veg patch to keep junior in and voracious wallabies out. Or a little chook shed. Hmmm...maybe the decking uprights & the post & rail fence could be used for veg beds - are they usually treated? Maybe I should just use them for ornamentals or tree beds just to be on the safe side.

Just trying to do my best for the environment & wallet by recycling.

Thanks heaps for your input.

Cheers,

tarn

[Terrian]

Thanks Terrian,

The land adjacent to the pool slopes away down to a gully but the water would most likely run across our neighbors patch of bush after ours soaked up a bit. I would let the neighbors know as they might think something has sprung a leak.

You could syphon the pool using a standard 12mm garden hose, let the neighbors as you said.

Re: the water tanks - I was only thinking about using them for the garden and given enough time the chlorine levels in the pool water would drop so wouldn't be toxic to plants. just feels wrong to waste so much water but I guess in the grand scheme of things its not that much

If you have a decent pool fence you could make use of the water for the garden, just take a lot longer.

Since you think the decking isn't sturdy enough for garden beds I think I could use them for a little paling fence around the veg patch to keep junior in and voracious wallabies out. Or a little chook shed. Hmmm...maybe the decking uprights & the post & rail fence could be used for veg beds - are they usually treated? Maybe I should just use them for ornamentals or tree beds just to be on the safe side.

you could make a nice fence, I would not use them for retaining soil though, just don't know what has been put on them over the years

Just trying to do my best for the environment & wallet by recycling.

naturally, you live in Warrandyte after all