Resourceful Re-Purposing : Make a Kiddie Pool Raised Garden!

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Have you ever thought about planting a small garden but didn't really know how to go about doing it because you have a small outdoor space? Or do you happen to have a hard-sided plastic children's pool that the kids have long since outgrown or lost interest in?

Here is a tutorial on how to re-purpose a kids pool to create a raised garden that will be great for growing shallow rooting plants, herbs and veggies -- plus the kids will like helping with this project too!

The first step is to cut or drill several 1" or larger holes into the bottom of the pool to allow for drainage. This is a must in this process so that the plants don't get flooded out.  You might also want to add a few holes along the lower sides of the pool just to make sure you have adequate drainage.

At this point you will want to add some type of barrier to the bottom of the pool that allows for drainage while keeping the soil inside of the pool. Recommendations are bed liners, screens or even newspaper.

Next you will want to place the pool/garden in the place where it will remain. Make sure to choose a spot that receives adequate sunlight so the plants can thrive. Also note that if you are placing the garden on your lawn, that it will be damaging to the grass below so you might want to choose a spot that is fairly inconspicuous.

Fill your "garden" with soil. You can choose a mixture of fertilizer and soil if you prefer -- this is entirely up to you and dependent on the plants you will be adding. Level out the soil and then plant your seeds in rows according to the packet recommendation for depth and spacing. If you are planting more than one item/variety in your garden, you might also want to add markers so that when they start to sprout, you know what they are.

Once your seeds are planted, you will want to give the seeds/soil a gentle but thorough watering. Make sure your water isn't spraying too hard that it dislocates the soil and seeds -- a "rain" setting on a hose attachment works best. The kids have fun "helping" with this step especially!

Make sure to follow the recommended steps for your chosen plants' so that you have the best result. Enjoy your new "garden" and most of all, enjoy the fresh veggies & herbs!

Source : About.com

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