8 Best Trampoline Setup Ideas that will not Kill the Grass

Now you may be seeking an answer to the question, “Will trampoline installation kill the lively green grass of my backyard?” Well, it’s noteworthy to think about your lawn if you are a grass-loving person who is planning to get a big trampoline because your kids want you to get one. So, it will be helpful if you think about how this significant investment will affect the grass under your trampoline.

Now, the effect a trampoline may have on your grass is usually very severe. And some people who take pleasure in their yard’s appearance may get upset. So, if you install a trampoline on your lawn without protecting the grass underneath, the trampoline will most certainly damage the grass after a few years. In addition, jumping mats keep sunlight from reaching the grass below. As a result, the grass has a more challenging time surviving long periods.

Trampolines are not so bad when they are smaller. Yet, it is critical to plan ahead of time if you want a larger trampoline. In addition, you should also know that some grasses can grow in areas with little or no sunlight or that are extremely dry. Therefore, let’s look into how a trampoline setup will not kill your backyard’s lively green grass.

Your trampoline is killing your grass for no good reason. Do you know why?

These days factories make safe trampoline mats’ with such material that blocks a significant quantity of light. However, this does not necessarily imply that the grass will die or become patchy beneath the surface. While a lack of sunlight in most cases might result in a nutritional shortage and patchy grass, there are exceptions, and this may not be the case with your trampoline.

For example, if it’s scorching summer, that grass area may welcome the shade and thrive much better than the rest of your yard. Other things can impact the grass beneath your trampoline, including the grass and the type of soil you have in your yard.

Besides where your trampoline is, think about how the sun hits your yard and if the grass dies. The size and weight of the trampoline can impact how the grass grows under it. A smaller 10ft trampoline, for example, will have a smaller surface mat area than one of the extra-large trampolines.

It’s worth noting that the reaction of your grass to the legs of your trampoline is considerably easier to predict. Because it will be a heavyweight on the ground, the legs will almost certainly kill the grass beneath it.

Your trampoline may indent into the lawn and become unbalanced if the soil in that region is also very soft when wet. The actual surface area affected by trampolines will be substantially lower if the lowest frame rings do not sink to the ground.

Therefore, we find the following reasons that are the actual causes of your trampoline killing your grass:

Sunlight

Naturally, the trampoline comes with a thick, dark mat. These mats are firm, not easily broken, and people don’t fall across them. Fantastic isn’t it! Because it keeps the jumpers safe and secure.

However, its thickness and dark color prevent any sunlight from reaching the grass below. As a result, your grass isn’t getting enough sunlight to grow properly.

Moisture

Grass needs some water to live. On the other hand, it often needs rain or a sprinkler to get the water it needs. However, the trampoline mat protects it from both. So when it rains, or you turn on the sprinkler, the mat will soak up and hold on to the most water. As a result, your grass doesn’t get the water it needs to grow.

Weight

The trampoline’s weight and how often it bounces can also affect your grass. It happens every time you jump on the trampoline. When the trampoline sinks into the ground, you will feel more pressure. So, weight can cause the grass to die out.

Size

Larger trampolines are heavier and more prone to sinking into the ground due to their extra weight. If the trampoline is set lower than intended, more light is blocked, and the ground must be overwatered regularly.

Excessive Flooding in Low-lying areas

Make sure that your yard has enough drainage. The trampoline could end up with water under it if you don’t have a lot of drainages. It’s bad for the grass, and your trampoline leg sinks make your jumping area look weird. It might not be as flat as when you first put it together.

How do you keep grass from dying under trampolines?

You can use a few solutions to avoid most of the issues mentioned above:

1. Regularly reposition your trampoline

Trampolines grass can usually live without direct sunlight or water for about a week.

So, if you leave your trampoline in the same place for that long, the grass may survive. But, after that point, your grass has a risk of dying.

As a result, it’s a good idea to relocate your trampoline regularly and at a time when you’ll remember. Although, you’ll have to move your trampoline to trim the underneath grass once a week.

So, practice moving your trampoline once a week, even if you don’t trim grass regularly.

2. Put your trampoline right next to a sprinkler

The trampoline mat traps any water that falls on it. So, there’s a good chance that the grasses on the ground won’t get any water from above.

The next best thing you can do is put the trampoline right over a sprinkler, whether it’s an inground sprinkler or one you can move around. Throughway, the trampoline’s underneath grass gets the water it needs.

A wet trampoline can be very dangerous. So, keep it in mind and keep an eye on the trampoline if you have a sprinkler right under it; make sure no one jumps on it while they are wet or when the sprinkler is going off!

3. Make sure the grass is getting the sun’s rays

When it’s sunny outside, you can reflect the sun’s rays onto the grass below the trampoline by putting particular lawn decorations in front of the trampoline.

It will be hard and time-consuming to get the right angle on the lawn decorations.

But it could save your yard.

4. Plant grass seed and lawn feed under your trampoline

All plants need light to grow. Here grass feed can help when there isn’t enough sun. People put grass to feed on their lawns to help the grass grow better.

Plant lawn seeds to help fill gaps where the grass is failing or has already died. Regularly check the lawn for dead or dying grass and replace it with grass seed or lawn feed.

Taking extra steps before the incident could help protect the grass.

5. Install the trampoline on the ground

Ensure there isn’t any grass or dirt under the trampoline before putting it up. In this case, you don’t have to deal with grass anymore. To keep your trampoline safe outside, dig a hole in the ground where you want to set it up. Building a foundation around the hole is important to keep the trampoline from falling. Now, trampolining on an in-ground trampoline is safer since you are less likely to hurt yourself if you fall and hit your head. And if you don’t want your grass to die, you can install the trampoline on the ground.

6. Place a grass mat below

Faking it isn’t always enough. On the other hand, a synthetic grass mat may become a trampoline’s best friend. It’s a one-time expense that protects your trampoline’s safety.

You also avoid the need to move your trampoline within your yard. Keep your trampoline in one place, and you won’t have to move it.

7. Build an organic trampoline mat

Additionally, you can place a large base of organic material beneath your trampoline. Example: Mulch, Sand, or Bark. As a result, the top is soft and stable, necessitating less micromanagement of the grass underneath.

Constructing an organic trampoline base is a one-time endeavor that may be rewarding. To begin, dig a 10 to 12-foot-deep trench around your trampoline with a diameter of 4 to 6 feet. Following that, you fill this trench with your organic material. Finally, trim the edge to enclose the material.

8. Use Gravel as a Base

Another option that people don’t think about is to put the trampoline on gravel. If you don’t have gravel in your yard, you can make a gravel patch big enough for your trampoline to fit on. In addition, gravel is very low-maintenance, so you don’t have to think about the landscaping under your trampoline when you use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can grass grow quicker under a trampoline?

In certain circumstances, trampoline owners discover that the grass beneath the trampoline grows higher, faster, and more lushly. It is possible because the area is hot and the trampoline is in direct sunlight.

While this may sound like a relief if you live in a hot climate, it’s vital to remember that this part of your lawn will require more attention to keep it from becoming overgrown.

Is it possible to plant new grass beneath a trampoline?

If you’ve ever noticed grass dying beneath your trampoline, you’ll be relieved to know that it is easy to restore the grass in this area back to life. It’s a simple procedure that can repair any damage your trampoline has caused.

The solution is generally as simple as re-planting grass seed. So plant a new grass species that complement your trampoline’s under-climate’s moisture, heat, and light conditions.

You could even lay down some sod or plugs to expedite the process or go the route that many trampoline owners do and install artificial turf instead.

Is it possible to find trampolines that will not kill the grass or harm the lawn?

Unfortunately, there is currently no custom-made solution. As a result, it’s difficult to say which trampoline will keep your grass safe because every case is different.

As a general rule, smaller diameter trampolines are less disruptive to the lawn and result in grass that is easier to keep green due to less obstructing moisture and sunshine.

It’s also worth noting that trampoline mats made of polypropylene rather than rubber allow more sunshine to penetrate through. Rubber mats are common on older trampolines. They are excellent at keeping the sun and moisture off your grass, eventually killing it.

A lightweight frame is another feature that you could like. Many people find that lightweight trampolines generate less sinkage and grass damage. A lighter construction also allows you to move your trampoline around your yard more easily, which is an excellent method to maintain your lawn alive and well.

Is it possible to put a trampoline under the ground to solve the problem?

If you don’t want the trampoline to damage your lawn, you should pay to have it cut down. As the trampoline is buried in the ground, so there will be no gap between the trampoline and the ground.  Also, sunken trampolines don’t need to be kept up, and there’s no risk of someone falling off the trampoline because there is no trampoline. So you should pick the right place if you use this method as there is no way to move the trampoline until someone digs it up.

How to set up your trampoline in a way that will not kill your lawn’s grass. Consider all the 8 quick hacks described above to keep your favorite grass at its best. A beautiful lawn is one of the best things about being a homeowner and you would do anything to keep it beautiful.

In Conclusion

In the end, I hope you understood what are the do’s and don’ts which will help you setup your trampoline in such ways that will not kill your lawn’s grass for sure. Because I know that a beautiful lawn is one of the best things about being a homeowner. And you would do anything to keep it’s beauty at it’s best. So consider all the 8 quick hacks described above to set up your trampoline in a way that will not kill your favorite grass.