One of the most common questions we get asked at Vuly Play is what happens to grass under trampolines and do trampolines kill grass?
It's a tricky one to address because the short answer is that a Vuly trampoline may kill grass or in some cases, accelerate its growth.
Depending on where you live, the location of the trampoline and its reduced exposure to sunlight and moisture, it can either cause the grass to brown or become more lush and green.
Do Trampolines Kill Grass?
A safe trampoline mat is usually made of material that blocks a fair amount of sunlight.
But that doesn't necessarily mean that the grass will die or become spotty underneath.
While usually, the lack of sunlight could lead to nutrient deficiency and a very patchy lawn, there are outliers while this may not be the case with your trampoline for kids.
For example, if it’s an extremely hot summer, that part of your lawn may appreciate being underneath the shade and will thrive much better than the rest of your yard.
Other factors can also play a key role in the grass under your trampoline.
This could include what type of grass used in your lawn, or the type of soil.
Another important thing to remember is where your trampoline placed may impact if your grass will die, as different angles of how the sun hits your yard can be a determining factor.
The size and weight also play a role in how the grass will grow under a trampoline.
Obviously, a smaller 10ft trampoiline is going to have a smaller surface mat area than say, one of our extra-large trampolines.
One thing to note is that he reaction of your grass to your trampoline’s legs is much easier to predict.
This is because it will be a heavyweight on the ground, the legs will likely cause the grass underneath to die.
If the soil in that area also tends to become very soft when wet, your trampoline may also indent into the lawn and become lopsided.
If the lower frame rings don't sink to the ground, the actual surface area affected will be much lower for trampolines (like our Thunder Model).
How to Stop Grass Dying Under Trampolines
The good news is that whatever changes your trampoline would have in store for the appearance of your backyard, you can easily avoid.
Most of Vuly’s trampolines are very light. You can move them around the yard frequently with the help of another person — if you have space — to avoid any death or overgrowth of the grass.
This gives you the chance to mow underneath or throw on a few seeds depending on how the lawn looks.
You can also get yourself a Wheels kit to move your heavier Thunder or Thunder Pro with ease.
If you don't think you'll be able to move your trampoline often, another trick is placing a sprinkler underneath the trampoline from time to time (when it's not in use).
Alternatively, another way to avoid potential grass damage is during trampoline assembly, place your it on synthetic grass or even soft bark.
Like most play equipment for outdoors, it's important that your trampoline be set up on a forgiving surface, but this doesn’t with a few adjustments you can ensure your lawn stays healthy and green.