Swimming pool container for fruit trees

[Galatians522]

Quick lime is fine. Aluminum oxide is not good for plants, though.

[Julie]

Galatians and Coconut Cream,
Why do you guys recommend to fully remove the pool when there is a partial removal approach that would break down the sides by 2 feet and break up the bottom and remove the surrounding patio, but not fully remove the whole shell? I would not let them leave the concrete they did take out inside the pool shell, i would have them take it away. I know KRimes mentioned that the area would hold water differently, but I'm not sure how concerning that is. The partial approach would give me the same planting area and would create less dust since they are busting up less concrete. I have many trees planted right next to concrete with no issues. Just want to make sure i consider all options. Thank you so much!

[Galatians522]

I guess I view things a little differently because we have no rock layer here (well, maybe 200' down). It probably does not make a difference if you have concrete buried in a place where rock is natural. If it were mine, it would always bug me to know that I had concrete buried in my yard.

[Julie]

I totally understand your perspective. I found an old post from Cookie Monster that says planting near concrete can cause nutrient deficiency (this hasn't been my experience personally but my trees are mostly less than 10 years old). Also, natural limestone and concrete are probably quite different.

https://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=8622.0

[Daintree]

I still think you could keep the bottom and sides intact, and use that to hold the groundwater out.  Throw in a foot of gravel, then soil, and water carefully.  I have over a hundred fruiting tropical trees in 20 gallon pots, using WAY less soil than that, and they do great.  Cover the pool with a frame and mesh, throw plastic over it during rainy periods, and viola! 

[K-Rimes]

If it were mine, it would always bug me to know that I had concrete buried in my yard.

This is how I feel about it. It would bother me.

You can certainly grow stuff in a pool sized pot, but my experience has been that pot culture is all well and good till you get too much water for too long a period and it goes anaerobic. Totally fine when you're able to control that, it drains and breathes well, and the pot is suitably sized but... This is not that.

The correct answer, imo, is total removal - but it's expensive and not without risk either. You'll just have to weight that up and decide what the value is for you.

[Julie]

K Rimes, why do you feel it wont drain properly or become anaerobic? I was planning on making sure the bottom was completely broken up and removed if i go this route. Thank you.

[MasOlas]

Have your demo guy put a breaker tip on the excavator or skid steer and poke holes in the bottom for drainage.

[K-Rimes]

K Rimes, why do you feel it wont drain properly or become anaerobic? I was planning on making sure the bottom was completely broken up and removed if i go this route. Thank you.

I guess I'm just a bit confused. By the time you have the entire bottom being broken out... Why not go all the way? I thought you were just going to break it up and leave it all. The other posters recommendations of going for a short vacay are good in regards to avoiding the dust.

[Julie]

K Rimes, the entire patio would be removed, the walls would be taken down by 2 ft except the wall next to the house which will stay (this could be a benefit since it will stop tree roots from going near the foundation of the house), and the bottom would be removed, and i would have them take away any concrete they break off.

Its the partial demolition from this diagram: