Though most families enjoy trampolines without injury, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents against buying a trampoline or letting their children use one. Certainly, when the mat, safety netting or metal frame starts to deteriorate, you need to replace the ailing components. Trampoline mats and safety pads should last two to three years, and the frame should last several additional years depending on environmental conditions, according to Trampoline Safety. Should you decommission your household trampoline, you need not banish it to a landfill. Put on your green thinking cap and give your retired trampoline a second life.
Make a Greenhouse
Step 1
Split the circular frame that supports the trampoline mat. Separate it into two 180-degree semi-circles. Criss-cross the two semi-circles in the center, lashing them together to form an X.
Step 2
Place the four ends of the poles on the ground. This will help to form your greenhouse frame. If you want to make the greenhouse taller, shove smaller poles, wood dowels or discarded broom handles into the openings at the bottom of the greenhouse frame poles. Sharpen the end of the dowels or broom handles that go into the ground.
Step 3
Shove the poles into the ground to secure the frame. You now have a dome-like frame. Lash the trampoline safety netting, chicken wire or some other form of netting to the frame to provide further support for the plastic.
Step 4
Attach a thick, clear, plastic ground cloth to the frame. Do this by placing one side of the plastic on the ground on one side of the frame. Secure the plastic to the ground using rocks or cinder blocks. Place the opposite side of the plastic over the top of the frame and secure it to the ground on the opposite side of the frame using stones or cinder blocks. Secure the remaining sections of the plastic to the ground. Leave a small section unsecured to allow entry into the greenhouse.
Tips and Warnings
- Use the mat to make a weed barrier. Simply measure and cut out a section of the mat to fit into your garden space. Cut holes to allow drainage for your plants. Cover the barrier with mulch or wood chips Use the mat as a tarp. The mat already has reinforced holes that can be used with bungee cords to secure your trampoline/tarp to your truck or trailer.
Things You'll Need
- Trampoline
- Rope
- Bungee cords
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