pool water for garden?

[Ridgerunner]

It's been several decades since I fooled with a pool and I never want to maintain one again. I think your top priority has to be top keep it safe for the swimmers, which I'd think are your kids. Chlorine is not the only product used for that, but it is cheap, available, and effective. Algae is not the only problem. You could get anything from mosquito wigglers to some type of bacteria.

I don't know the size of the small pool or what your planned use is. How often do you empty it and what you have available. Chlorine does evaporate. I'd think if it grows algae it would be safe for your plants. Can you possible take it from the pool and store it in somehting until the chlorine is gone? Those strips can tell you when it should be safe.

You can get "dunks" from Tractor Supply to put in ponds, rain barrels and such to keep the mosquito wigglers out. I use them in my rain barrels. Those would not work in a swimming pool because they get really messy, something like NwMtGardener's barley experience. Not that bad but close enough.

 

[preeti22]

use Automatic Salt water Chlorinater. it uses salt instead of harmful chlorine to keep your pool water clean and healthy. i am using one of for my pool from Healing Water Supplies online shop. and its one of the best Self cleaning pool chlorinator.

 

[seedcorn]

Don't use on beans. I did and got chlorine poisoning. I should have known better

 

[elaineB]

That's pretty interesting.

 

[Huey M. Ryan]

Well I heard that above ground pool water can damage the plants because of different kind of chemicals are including in pool water which can harmful for plants and their growth. Is that true?

 

[Nyboy]

Ryan thank you for bring back this thread, I was just wondering about water from hot tub. And welcome!!!

 

[Davidjones]

Yes—but with caution. Pool water contains chlorine and sometimes other chemicals like algaecides or stabilizers, which can harm plants if used directly. Here’s what I’ve learned from digging into this:


What You Can Do

• Let chlorine evaporate: Leave the water out in the sun for 24–48 hours. Chlorine is volatile and will dissipate naturally.
• Dilute it: Mix 1 part pool water with 3 parts fresh water to reduce chemical concentration.
• Use on hardy plants: Lawns, shrubs, and chlorine-tolerant plants (like rosemary, ivy, and oleander) can handle it better than veggies or sensitive flowers.
• Test first: Try watering a small patch and observe for 2–3 days before going all in.

What to Avoid

• Saltwater pools: Salt can build up in soil and dehydrate plants.
• Freshly chlorinated water: High chlorine levels can burn roots and leaves.
• Sensitive plants: Herbs, vegetables, and young seedlings are more vulnerable.

If you’re draining your pool and hate wasting water, this method can work—just treat it like greywater and prep it properly. I’ve seen gardeners use kiddie pools for rainwater collection and even convert old pools into aquaponic gardens!