Hi. We have grass around the pool, but there is about 4' of decking and 1' of coping between the water and the grass. We too like the look and this is where we have our lounge chairs and play bocci ball. The only downside is that you need to be careful with grass clippings getting in your pool. Make sure you have a grass catch attachment.

Not just grass, but fertilizer! It doesn't take much.

Scott

Scott, when you say it doesn't take much, how much are you talking about?

You dont want ANY fertilizer getting in the pool. Green algae is a green plant and fert. makes it grow like mad, just like grass, tomatoes, etc..

It can also cause staining and adds metals and other unwanted material in the pool.

Grass patios look great in photos but its not Wimbledon. It can be buggy and lounge chairs don't move that well. Maintainence is very high. You have to love the look because your giving up a lot of function.

we are doing synthetic grass around our pool, a 8' deck around the freeform pool. Didn't want the clippings and didn't want to mow back there (or plumb sprinklers) -- we get a little credit from water co. (marin county) to help the cost. There is a newer kind out that does not use the crumb/rubber infill, i was worried those little bits would get in the pool - so this one is more expensive, but does not have the crumb infill to get all over the place like sports fields do. It looks very nice in sample, will post in a couple weeks when it's installed. As expensive as it is, it is not that much less than doing hardscape...but the look is awesome and virtually zero maintenance...

Thank you for all your posts. Food for thought...
I, too, will post photos when our job is finally finished.
Debbie

Oh,
Thought this was about California tax problems.

We have a similar set-up to poolpam...coping and then 4-5' of decking, then grass. We are in a very hot area (just finished up 16 days over 100 degrees)and a full backyard of concrete decking would have made our pool's micro-climate way too hot!!

We also mulch all our clippings, leaving them on the lawn. Some eventually do find their way into the pool, but it's much less if we're careful to always mow with the discharge facing away from the pool and toward the rest of the lawn.

Only if it is a variety that grows very short and slowly... like Zoysia or Bermuda. But then you have the brown up during the off seasons.
I'd go with artificial turf, if in the budget.

As comments are still open on this, I offer that a good pool robot and filter system, as well as being careful when trimming / mowing is important with grass near a pool.

We have a landscaped area with a strip of grass on one side near the pool, and we do need to take extra care not to get clippings or mulch (from the weed trimmer) in the pool. A well functioning filter system and pool cleaner will help, but it can be a headache at times. We only have the grass on one side and appreciate the solid concrete decking around the pool for a solid surface when emerging from the pool, as well as using the lounge chairs. Our elderly Boston Terrier dog appreciates the surface too, more sure footed.

Grass looks beautiful next to a pool for a photo shoot. If you have kids, you will have mud and grass in the pool in the house, etc... Artificial turf the way to go.