We are entertaining the idea of taking out a 25 year old pool, Has anyone done this and have you been successful growing plants in that area? I am thinking about replacing it with a natural area with perennials to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. How much good soil would be required on top of whatever is used to fill the pool? I can't remember ever hearing Howard discuss this topic.

My brother did this. He actually didn't remove the old pool, he went in with a jack hammer and broke up the concrete in the bottom of the pool so water would percolate through it, then used fill dirt. I think he did knock off the top couple of feet around the rim of the pool.

That said, if you can arrange for that top couple of feet to be composed of good top soil on top of the fill in the pool, I think that would be safe. I think that's what my brother did. But be sure the fill that goes into the hole is wholesome, not someone's cast off toxic soil.

Good luck! This is a lot of work.