anyone with an outdoor pool?

[MOSagain]

Just curious how long the season is for using it? When do you open it and close it?

Years ago my parents had a pool. It would be in use generally from late spring (April/may) til autumn (September/October) depending on temperatures and weather.

I don't have one myself (yet [optimistic]) but if I did I would go for a natural swimming pond rather than a traditional pool, as during the non-swimming season you have an attractive pond to look at instead of a rather unattractive pool with a cover over it. They are obviously also much better for the environment as they don't use chemicals and are fab for wildlife.

Downsides are the immense costs of installing them, and they take a long time to get in 'balance' (though the company who built it would be responsible for the faffing to get it right). I'd still love one though!

We open our pool up in April/may depending on weather. Last year it was early April and this year looks set to follow.
We dont have heating and it takes up until june to reach high 70's low 80,s
By sept the temp drops to low 70,s and we shut it down nov time.
The longer you leave it before shutting down in autumn the better as the chemicals might not last all through the winter.
The colder the winter the better. Mild winters the water does get greener!
We are in London if that helps.

Thanks, that is really useful information pippala. Isn't it a bit cold though in April/May with no heater?