Hello Teddybear, I would think there are a couple of things you could do with this space. Since you don't want to weed then putting flowers there is probably not a good idea. If you have a clumping kind of grass like a fescue then it won't invade the other side of your edging and you can just replant this dirt area. If your grass is a running grass like bermuda then you need to contain it by putting a barrier at least a foot deep under the edging and regularly cutting back the runners that will try to go over the top. I am kind of curious about why you don't seem to have a problem with weeds in the gravel. Maybe you could move your edging out to the new level of the grass and fill in more gravel but although gravel may discourage some weeds I've never seen it totally stop them. Pavers would do a better job stopping weeds but you would probably have to occasionally spray whatever comes up in between them. A picture would probably help you get more response here but you seemed to explain your problem Ok. Good Luck, Maria

Although I'm a big fan of rhizome pruning, there's no guarantee you'll always get everything the first time. This usually isn't a problem...you just go after the straggler you missed. However, in your case, the first time you might see this straggler is when it comes up through the pool. Bamboo can penetrate things much thicker and tougher than that liner. I'd say your safest options are: clumpers, runners in pots, or planting a good distance from the pool.

You might post on Cottage Gardens; this is more a garden design kind of problem, & that's right up their alley.

The Western Red Cedar Lumber Asscoaition (WRCLA) recommends you not use a clear sealer for the reason John mentioned above. You will not get any UV protection and the deck will turn gray. One alternative is to figure out how much sealer you will need for your deck and then purchase a semi-transparent sealer half of it in a color that compliments your wood and half in a clear. Mix the two together. Below is a photo of TWP cedartone 101 done by a colleague. Gary, if you use linseed oil outside your deck will be eaten alive by mold and it will turn black. New pressure treated lumber will not take sealer evenly unless it ages. But, letting PT wood sit unprotected is going to cause problems with warping. Coat it now but know that by next spring you will probably need to do it again.