Last Updated on October 5, 2023

While you install a trampoline in the backyard, it’s very important to consider the surroundings and landscaping of the backyard for a nice look. Besides these, the trampoline base should be good enough so it won’t sink into the ground while you jump there. Thus, you need to make the ground base of the trampoline strong enough to prevent getting sunk into the trampoline as well as for safe and proper bounce.

So, what to put under a trampoline? There are several options like wood chips, rubber mulch, sand, artificial grass, and many more. Out there, we will cover here the 8 best things to put under your trampoline with their pros and cons. Let’s move on!

Ultimate Guide on What to Put Under A Trampoline: 8 Best Things to Put Under Your Trampoline

01. Trampoline on Grass

Can you set up a trampoline on the grass? Yes, you can install a trampoline on grass without any hesitation. This is the most natural way. But make sure the surface is plain and not very sloppy.  Grass provides easy trampoline installation and good anchoring. You don’t need to buy any additional accessories in this process.

Now, the question arises actually for the dying grasses. So let’s discuss why grasses die under the trampoline and what should you do.

Why Grasses Die under Trampoline and What is the Consequence?

Grasses may die underneath the trampoline mainly for three reasons.

• The first crux is the lack of sunlight. Some grasses die within a few days due to improper light.
• The second reason is the deficiency of water. As grasses can’t live without water.
• Another cause is excessive heat. The below space of the trampoline is covered so the mat and frame both make excessive heat during the summer.

What Will Happen if the Grasses Die?

Due to the lack of grasses, several scenarios might happen such as-

• When grasses die under the trampoline, the main problem that you may face is the shrinkage of the legs which may result in the trampoline being uneven. Thus jumping in such a lopsided bed might cause severe injuries like back pain due to trampolining.
• Another problem is that will make the frame dirtier very often as it is in direct contact with the ground.

How to Keep the Grasses Alive Under Trampoline?

There are several solutions to solve the problem. These are-

• In the summer, sprinkle water on the grasses to keep the soil dry.
• Another way is covering trampoline legs with a thick cloth so they absorb extreme heat to prevent getting the soil drier.
• The best practice is to set the trampoline to any even place thus you can move it to a new location after a few days. Thus, the grasses get enough water and sunlight to live.
• You can also use fertilizer to stimulate the root growth of the grasses under the trampoline.
• Mowing underneath grass is another good alternative to promote grass development.

 

Pros

• Cost-efficient
• Easy installing

Cons

• Dying grass
• Trampolines get dirtier soon

02. Rubber Mulch

What is the best thing to put under a trampoline? Well, most of us say rubber mulch. If you want a safe landing on the trampoline without dipping the trampoline legs, rubber mulch will be an ideal option. When you jump higher and touch the trampoline bed, extra force is applied to the mat thus trampoline base tends to sink.

But by putting mulch or bark under the trampoline, you can get an effective solution to that. Some clubs use rubber mulch in football grounds for several reasons such as longer lifespan, soft and bouncy, etc. Moreover, if you don’t see unnecessary growth of the grass under the trampoline, this will be an effective way.

To apply rubber mulch beneath the trampoline, you have to dig a small depth hole in the ground according to your trampoline dimension. Then set the trampoline there. You can do it by yourself or hire a professional.

If you want to buy rubber mulch for a 14 ft round trampoline, it will cost around $300 to $350. And you can pick the best rubber mulch for the trampoline below covering. Do you know, what to put under mulch? Some experts recommend newspaper mulch or cardboard beneath rubber mulch to beat weeds.

 

Pros

• Lasts longer
• Soft and bouncy

Cons

• Ground digging is necessary

03. Artificial Grass Mat

Artificial grass simultaneously provides wonderful landscaping under the trampoline as well as soft cushioning. If you love the aesthetic look, the grass mat under the trampoline will make you happier. The best thing is, this artificial turf is easy to install and maintain. Small plants can grow beneath the mat but can’t come out. Its longevity is also appreciated.

The cost of the rubber grass mat under a trampoline is comparatively higher than other materials that are applied under a trampoline. It will cost approximately $400 for a 15 ft square trampoline.

 

Pros

• Great outlook
• Easy installation

Cons

• Costly

04. Wood Chips

This is one of the cheapest things to put under the trampoline. Availability and price are the main distinguishing features of wood chips. You will get each wood chips bag at $3 to $5 and a single bag can cover 2 cubic feet easily. Thus, a trampoline base area can be covered with wood chips for less than 100 dollars. But there are several expensive types of wood mulch too that cost around $150 or even more.

Wood chips can be applied easily under the trampoline but they are not very soft and bouncy as rubber mulch or sandbags.

 

Pros

• Cheaply priced
• Available everywhere
• Easy to apply

Cons

• Not so bouncy and soft

05. Play Sand

A good alternative to rubber mulch is play sand. It is soft like the mulch and also quite bouncy. They last longer and provide safety to the kids. Their installation is very easier than the mulch. But, they are more pricey than rubber mulch. A single sandbag costs around $5 and it can cover 1/2 cubic foot. Thus a total of 80 bags are needed and the total cost will be $400 approximately.

 

Pros

• Long-lasting
• Soft like mulch
• Easy installing

Cons

• Expensive
• Not too bouncy

06. Bury The Trampoline

In-ground trampoline is a wonderful addition to the backyard. They have many benefits over the above-ground model. These buried trampolines are safer than the usual trampoline. They eliminate serious injuries such as trampoline burns. They can also carry heavy loads than the traditional model. If you want to make a sunken trampoline, you have to dig a large hole, create a retaining wall for the in-ground trampoline and drain, and set the trampoline there.

Due to digging the hole and retaining wall preparation, the cost of the in-ground trampolines especially the round models’ rises more than the other types. The depth will be maximum in the middle and minimum in the outer edge. The sunken trampolines have some problems too which need to be taken into consideration.

 

Pros

• Good for garden renovation
• Ensure safe jumping for all

Cons

• Expensive

Other Trampoline Base Ideas: Alternatives to The Above Methods

There are several alternative things to put below the trampoline. Gravel and concrete are two such options. These are not recommended but you can apply them if you can’t manage any other options.

07. Trampoline on Solid Base

Maybe you are wondering, can a trampoline be placed on concrete? The answer is both yes and no. Why? Here is the explanation. Most experts suggest not placing your trampoline on the hard base. Still, the concrete pad allows setting the trampoline only when the base is made trampoline friendly.

Concrete won’t absorb shock well when jumpers bounce in the trampoline bed, so you can’t secure the base properly even if you use anchoring kits. On the other hand, the hard base may damage the frame and legs due to repetitive friction. So, putting up the trampoline directly over the concrete is not recommended.

Still, if you want to place the trampoline on a solid surface you have to use an additional layer to minimize friction and make the trampoline stable.

 

Pros

• Extra layer needed

Cons

• Damages frame quickly
• The ground impact may be dangerous

08. Trampoline on Gravel

Although not recommended but you can install your trampoline on pea gravel. If you plan to do it, you may need an additional layer between the ground and legs to make a secured base. But an enclosure net is highly recommended when you set the trampoline upon the gravel to minimize injury if anyone falls there.

The maintenance cost is almost zero for a trampoline set up on gravel. We hope, you got the answer can you put a trampoline on gravel?

 

Pros

• Minimum maintenance
• Addition layer needed

Cons

• Falling in the gavel might be hazardous

Under Trampoline Skirt Ideas

Sometimes, closing off the space below the trampoline might be necessary. Here are the details on why it’s necessary and how to do it.

Why Closing Off The Area Under Trampoline Is Necessary?

Basically, there are mainly two reasons. These are-

Kids and Pets Safety

Securing the opening under the trampoline from entering kids and pets to eliminate accidents and injuries. The springs might cause severe injury if pets or kids go under the trampoline.

Trampoline’s Protection

Another reason is protecting the under space area from entering wild animals. As outside animals may visit your yard and can go in beneath the trampoline and may tear off the mat.

 

How to Close Off The Area Under A Trampoline?

The trampoline below the space can be closed in several ways.

Enclosure Net

You can install an additional net under the trampoline to surround it and protect it completely. This is an affordable way. Make sure the net is woven tightly.

Wooden Wall

Another way is building a wooden wall to protect the below space. This needs good effort to build the wall. You can also hire an installer.

Storage Box

If you haven’t enough time, the storage box might help you to make a temporary wall there. Just gather some boxes underneath the trampoline and make the space secure.

Below and Surrounding The Trampoline Landscaping Ideas

Besides, knowing the things that can be put under the trampoline, you can also learn the backyard trampoline landscaping ideas to create good aesthetic looks to the surrounding of the trampoline.

Trees in The Surrounding Area

If you want to create a private jumping space, you can plant an array of hedges to a certain distance from the trampoline. It also resists high winds and prevents your trampoline from blowing away. You can also plant flowers in the garden surroundings to increase the beauty.

Be careful, the hanging tree branches on the trampoline might fall anytime on the trampoline. Low branches can also create head injuries. So, it is necessary to trim the branches as much as you can. Also, try to place the trampoline quite far away from the trees. Surrounding trees also work as wind blockers.

 

Under Trampoline Garden Ideas

Planting trees under the trampoline is another good way to increase the trampoline’s beauty. But choose the trees that won’t go very high such as pulmonaria, Lamium, or Odorata. By doing so, you can make a small garden under the trampoline.

Pathway

A good pathway can extend your garden’s beauty a lot. This will play an important role to bring all playsets in the garden together like the trampoline, swing set, pool, ninja course, or hammock in the garden. While making pathways, consider the best aesthetic materials such as stepping stones, cobblestones, or pavement for shiny looks.

Under Trampoline Safety Ideas

Trampoline safety is one of the most important things that we all are concerned about. For increasing safety below the trampoline, you can do several things such as-

• Be sure the ground is even enough.
• Surround the underneath using an additional enclosure net to prevent kids’ and pets’ entry.
• Remove sharp and hard things from the perimeter ground.
• To prevent falling into the ground, install a 360-degree safety net.

What to Put Under Your Trampoline – FAQs?

How to mow under a trampoline?

Mowing under the trampoline is not similar to the usual mower as there is a height limitation on moving the mower. But there is a solution. The foldable handle mower will help you do it easily. Alternatively, you can use scissors or other hand-cutting equipment to do that.

Which plants will grow best under a trampoline?

The shed-loving plants are the best plants to put below the trampoline. Some of the shade-tolerant trees that work well underneath the trampoline are Lilly, Hostas, and even fern. But allow those plants that work well for your associated area climate. But when you place the trampoline in a sunny location, your plants have to be heat resistant. Otherwise, choose the right trees for the shaded area also that works best there.

Is it safe to put a sprinkler under my trampoline?

No, it is not a wise decision to put the sprinkler under the trampoline due to safety reasons. If someone jumps too deep like the heavy tumblers, they might hit the sprinkler and get wounded. Even when one hits the sprinkler, it may break. So, avoid installing the sprinkler below the trampoline. However, if you are moving the trampoline regularly, don’t move the device over the sprinkler.

Can I use the under-trampoline space as storage?

Yes, you can do it. But make sure there is a minimum of one-foot clearance between the trampoline mat and stored items for safety reasons.

Final Words

A good base is a must to have safe bouncing from the trampoline. There are several things to put under trampolines actually that we mentioned here such as rubber mulch, wood chips, play sand, artificial turf, burying the trampoline, and much more. Every option has its own merits and shortcomings. However, rubber mulch and sunken trampoline ideas are the most preferred ways.

You can put many items under a big adult trampoline, but nothing under a small indoor one.

Hopefully, you got the best answer on what to put under a trampoline. So, it’s your turn to make the space below the trampoline safe and great-looking. We look forward to know something new from you. Let’s have fun games on your trampoline.