Wouldn’t it be great if owning trampoline were as easy as just placing it in your backyard and forgetting about it? Unfortunately, this is not the case. The good thing is that taking care of your trampoline and your lawn isn’t too difficult.
When you own a trampoline, you need to consider the effect it will have on your lawn and what you need to do to keep it in good condition. You also should understand that if you just place the trampoline on top of the grass and do no landscaping of any kind you will have to get creative about keeping the grass healthy and mowed down.
In order to help you get a better understanding of how to do this, we’re going to go over three important topics:
- Will a trampoline kill the grass?
- How to grow grass under your trampoline
- How to cut the grass under your trampoline
These are topics that many people don’t consider when they buy a trampoline. Luckily for you, I’m going to be sharing some tips and tricks I’ve come across to help you better maintain your yard and get rid of that grudge you may have against your trampoline!
Click here to jump straight to our tips on cutting grass under a trampoline.
Firstly, Will a Trampoline Kill the Grass?
You may have or haven’t thought about whether a trampoline will kill the grass in your yard. The reality of this is that there is no definite answer. There are many different things at play which can generate different outcomes.
Getting to the question of whether trampolines kill grass or not, more often than not the answer is yes. A common consequence when there are no precautions taken is that grass becomes too dry & nutrient deficient, resulting in an undesirable patch right underneath your trampoline.
An outcome that many don’t anticipate is the grass under their trampoline actually thriving more than the rest of their yard. This happens when hot, sunny climate creates shady areas better for grass to grow in.
Depending on the typical seasonal changes in your geographic location, the grass may always die, always thrive, or change with the seasons. That being said, it doesn’t have to stay that way. There are numerous ways to maintain your lawn even with the interference of a trampoline.
Another factor that helps to determine whether or not the grass will grow under your trampoline is the material the jumping mat is made of.
Many trampoline mats are made of thick, material that blocks a lot of sunlight. Other trampolines may have material that is more porous, allowing diffused sunlight to pass through more effectively.
Some trampolines have a heavy frame that can cause the grass under it to die. An additional risk includes soft, sinking soil that causes the trampoline to become lopsided. A trampoline that isn’t on level ground puts people at greater risk of injury.
As you’ve probably noticed by now, it is really important to take into consideration the effect your trampoline will have on your yard. If you can take the necessary measures to prevent avoidable problems, then you will have much less to worry about when it comes to your beautiful yard as well as the safety of your kids.
How to Get Grass to Grow Under a Trampoline
There are several things you can do to help the grass grow better underneath your trampoline. One of the most common solutions to creating a better environment for your lawn is by moving your trampoline around the yard.
Moving your trampoline around your yard may be a difficult task, especially if it is particularly large and heavy. Fortunately, if you haven’t picked up a trampoline yet, you can opt for a model that is more lightweight and designed to be moved around.
Changing the spot your trampoline sits in your lawn should be done anywhere from once a week to every other week. This allows the grass to get enough sunlight and pressure relief so it doesn’t become permanently damaged.
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Is it Safe to Put a Sprinkler Under a Trampoline?
If you’re wondering if you could put a sprinkler under your trampoline to help your grass get some more water, the answer is yes. This will allow for your grass to get some well-needed moisture so it doesn’t get too dry.
Are you worried about the water causing potential damage to your trampoline? There is good news regarding this. As long as your trampoline mats are secure and your frame is galvanized or protected, the water will have no negative effects on your trampoline.
Aside from providing the grass underneath with water, a sprinkler underneath your trampoline can be extra fun. Some people say that jumping on a wet trampoline on a hot summer day is a ton of fun, so don’t be afraid to try it out if you’d like!
If you decide to do this, make sure you proceed with caution. It is best if your trampoline has protective netting around it to ensure nobody slips off of it. You should also double check to make sure the mat is securely in place so no springs are visible.
Finally, How to Cut the Grass Under Your Trampoline
One of the biggest questions trampoline owners come across in their first year of trampoline ownership is how to cut the grass underneath it.
The space under the trampoline mat tends to be quite awkward, leaving most at a loss for when it comes to maintaining the grass below.
Sure, you can just let the grass die or leave it to grow without care but if you’re someone who does cares about the way your yard looks then you’ll want to consider the following suggestions.
Adjust the Handle of Your Lawn Mower
The nice thing is that there are several ways to take care of the task, one of them being to simply run your lawn mower underneath. You might be thinking, how do I do this? It’s actually quite simple.
Most lawn mowers come with adjustable handles that can be adjusted up or down and most can even be folded in half. Although this fold is typically used for storage purposes it can make the mower much shorter, enough so to fit under the trampoline.
If your specific model can be lowered enough to safely cruise under your trampoline, then your problem is solved! This method comes in handy if you have a large trampoline that you are unable to move.
Consider that most trampolines sit at approximately 3 feet above the ground. That is 36 inches on average. If you can adjust your lawn mower’s handle to below 20-25 inches (depending on the height of your trampoline), then you should be able to pull this off.
Of course you will want to stay as safe as possible while mowing under the trampoline on your hands and knees but I would further advise homeowners to also raise the mowers deck up to a higher setting then normal so that the mower can safely go over the trampolines support legs that typically lay flat along the ground around the circumference of the frame.
In addition to making the cut safer the raised cutting deck is also better for the grass blades which are likely starving for light. By keeping them trimmed but still long this gives them more surface area to catch sunlight and photosynthesize. By keeping the grass healthy underneath you keep your whole yard looking better and prevent invasive weeds from taking over.
Unsure of how to adjust the handle of your lawn mower?
You can always check your manual to access specific instructions on how to make the proper adjustments but in general most mowers have an adjustment that can be made at the base of the handle to tilt the handle more upright or less upright for shorter or taller people. When you set the angle lower this will lower the height of the handle considerably and then by folding the mower handle in half the height gets cut down dramatically enough for the whole machine to go all the way under a trampoline easily… so long as you are willing to get under it yourself.
This method is great since it comes at no cost and is extremely convenient once you figure it out.
Of Course You Could Just Move Your Trampoline Regularly Too
If you don’t have the convenience of an adjustable lawn mower handle or don’t feel comfortable taking the mower under the trampoline while it’s running, then another simple solution is to move your trampoline. You will likely need help doing so and you run the risk of damaging it if you aren’t careful but this will be the safest way to cut that grass.
This option is ideal if the size and weight of the trampoline aren’t too much for a couple of people to handle. All you have to do is move your trampoline to a new, safe spot every time you mow the lawn. If it’s too heavy though then this is probably not a good option for many people.
If you have helping hands around then you can ask for some assistance when the time comes around. The benefit of simply moving your trampoline is that it has no costs on your end.
Best Lawn Mowers for Cutting Grass Under Trampolines
Obviously the best way to mow under trampolines is to use a short mower but the shortest mowers out there may not be what you are thinking about. There are actually automatic “robot” mowers that can mow all by themselves, they don’t even have handles and they are perfect for cutting down all the vegetation under your trampoline.
Is it Time to Invest in a Robot Lawn Mower?
For those of you who are willing to spend some money to up your level of convenience then consider purchasing one of these robot lawn mowers. I wouldn’t use them on my whole lawn but sections of it would be appropriate and certainly in cramped spaces they would be super handy to have around.
One of these machines can mow the entire lawn for you without you having to do the labor yourself if you’d like to take it that far.
Since they are remote controlled or automatic (like a Roomba) there is no handle bar built into the device. That makes it so you can simply mow it underneath your trampoline without any worries of there not being enough space and you don’t even have to go under it.
Several popular robot lawn mowers include:
- Husqvarna Automower 315X
- Robomow RS612
- Gardena 4069 R80Li Robotic Lawnmower
- McCulloch 7 in. ROB 1000
These bad boys are a bit pricey but they can relieve you of a lot of time spent in the yard too. After all they are not just used to cut grass under things.
If those toys are not in your budget this year then there are a still a few other options for hacking the grass back in awkward places.
Buy A Lawn Mower With Lower Handlebar Adjustments
If your current lawn mower doesn’t adjust low enough for you to mow underneath your trampoline, then you may want to consider purchasing a new one.
Like we mentioned earlier, most trampolines sit at approximately 3 feet above the ground. You’ll want to be able to get the handle down to 20-25 inches so you can safely mow the lawn underneath.
Manual Reel Mower
A manual reel mower is a great option since you don’t have to worry about adjusting the handle. All you need to do is angle the mower correctly so you can get underneath your trampoline.
Push mowers don’t require any power, so once you buy one you won’t have to worry about charging it, filling it with gas, etc.
Use a Scythe Instead of a Lawn Mower
If adjusting your lawn mower isn’t an option and moving the trampoline isn’t going to cut it, and you dn’t want to buy a new mower just to get into the space under your trampoline then consider purchasing a scythe to take care of the grass underneath. I know it’s another thing to buy but they are a lot cheaper than even the cheapest reel mower.
Also, although it is a manual method for cutting grass it can be a lot safer than conventional options and it’s probably a lot easier than manually moving your trampoline by hand.
In fact a lawn scythe is one of my preferred methods due to it’s low cost and the ease-of-use-factor!
This tool hearkens back to the days of our grandparents and their grandparents but the simple fact of the matter is that this basic hand tool makes cutting underneath things easy.
In fact a scythe makes cutting just about any grass easy! Check this short video out and be amazed! This seriously blew me away when I saw for the first time and it made me realize just how easy a scythe was to use!
When approaching the task with a scythe, it’s important to take the time to learn how to properly use a scythe. The blade is large so much caution is required. It will also require manual labor on your end, which may not be the best option.
Here are a couple scythes listed on Amazon. I’d say you could head over to Home Depot to pick one up but I’ve never seen these stocked in my local stores so you may be out of luck there like me.
► Tru Pro’s 38″ Grass Whip
► Nisaku’s Extra-Length Grass and Weeding Sickle
You Could Also Use a Weed Whacker
If you have a weed whacker on hand, then it may serve as a useful tool to reach the area underneath your trampoline with ease. Thanks to the slim design, a weed whacker offers a lightweight option that may be easier to use than your lawn mower.
Alternatives to Consider
If you have made it all this way and aren’t feeling the whole trying to keep your grass alive thing, then there are other alternatives to choose from. Maybe you already tried these methods out and aren’t able to keep up the maintenance. Whatever the deal is, you’ll be happy to know the options don’t stop there.
Alternatives to continuing the maintenance of the grass under your trampoline include:
- Placing a synthetic grass mat underneath
- Creating an area of gravel to place your trampoline
- Mulching an area of your lawn
- Building a sunken trampoline
Whatever you choose to do, it’s always important to prioritize safety. As long as your trampoline is placed on a level surface that can properly absorb shock from the impact of jumping, there should be no problems in terms of safety.
Maintaining the grass in your yard is made easy if you follow our suggestions. Make sure to check out our other articles for more tips, tricks, and advice when it comes to owning a trampoline!
