Trampoline Sinking

sinking a trampoline

I’ve heard many varying reports on how one should or can sink a trampoline. In my honest opinion logically, in reality and in fact, unless it’s a wee trampoline for a leprechaun, there is only one real vorsprung durch technic method of doing so. I did this as one part of a bigger picture where, I should add, works are still in progress.

Before you get to crater creations, choose your trampoline. Buy once, buy well, buy right and buy this before you dig. In this case the trampoline is [by specification] 14′ foot diameter. Spot chosen, the central point is found and the hole is dug. Note: not recommended you do this by hand, brutal soil or not. There is a fine reason why I note this.

trampoline sinking

Approximately 40 tonne came out of this soil sided cylinder and *if Irish rainfall weather does not work in your favour, it will fill up and depending, the walls can/ may/ most probably will collapse. You may say it didn’t. I say that is one heck of a gamble.

Levels sorted below ground level, distances and levels are checked at almost every interval. Foundations were then laid and whacked, yes, with the whacker [compaction plate]. Once the base set, it was straight onto the first course of cavity blocks.

The cavity blocks and foundations had rebar/ steel set into them and once we got to the top level into that then is poured concrete. In short, this is known as a retaining wall. We chose to cap them off with a solid block on its flat.

Allowing time for the concrete in the walls to dry, we returned to level the soil about 7 days later. Weather dependent, you will need this. Any sooner and the weight of the machine plus the weight of the soil against wall may cause it to cave in. Not an option. The base of the pit made allowances for a sump/ drainage pump to be put in place and the base of the pit was brought to foundation level with stone for drainage. After that the trampoline is put into its new home.

The trampoline was planted after with a dwarf type bamboo to surround it. I like the way this dapples the matt black saftey net. Of note, flick back up to the top of the post and see the difference in the height versus the wall.

I’ll get a better picture of the trampoline set in place, but for now this will have to suffice. Questions or queries, leave a comment or….

Contact Peter

UPDATE: 3rd July 2012 – Trampoline Safety Netting

listen to ‘Trampoline Sinking – Safety Netting’ on Audioboo

By |June 30th, 2012|All Posts, Donegan Gardens and Services|4 Comments
Read More

The SodShow meets Dan McGee and his 5th Class

listen to ‘The SodShow meets Dan McGee and his 5th Class’ on Audioboo

Dublin’s Only Garden Radio Show. The SodShow – with Peter Donegan & Brian Greene – Every Friday 3pm.

On This Weeks Garden Radio:

the sodshow and greensax

Meet Dan McGee a primary school teacher and a non-gardener from Balbriggan Educate Together school. I speak to Dan at the local farmers market with his students as they sell the scholl gardens excess produce.

From teaching gardening in his class, to creating a class garden – All this and so much more, on Dublins only garden radio show, The SodShow – brought to you by Greensax, the compostable bag for home and garden. Feedback, Q’s, say ‘ello ? Use twitter and the hashtag #SodShow ;)

By |June 29th, 2012|All Posts, The SodShow|1 Comment
Read More

Howling Gale Ale

There are moments in [my] life that I really think should be noted. Usually, they are moments were someone or something makes me smile. That, the smiling bit, is hugely important in my funny little head. So important, I tell my 2 year old daughter every day what happens when you put happy into a calculator and press the square root button. This may not well be a landscaping or garden design awards or cost a bizillion pounds; none to the point. Take a listen, with emphasis on the them and not the me. Nice moment. Happy gardening ;)

listen to ‘Howling Gale Ale. Happy Days :) ’ on Audioboo

Make yourself or someone else smile ? More on Howling Gale Ale

By |June 29th, 2012|All Posts, Smile|0 Comments
Read More

The SodShow meets Michael Connolly

listen to ‘The SodShow meets Michael Connolly’ on Audioboo

Dublin’s Only Garden Radio Show. The SodShow – with Peter Donegan & Brian Greene – Every Friday 3pm.

On This Weeks Garden Radio:

michael connolly, rolestown garden centre the sodshow and greensax

I speak with plants person and genuine nice guy Michael Connolly. Over 20 years in business, Michael is the brains behind and Father of the family run www.RolestownPlantsPlus.ie garden centre, which he now operates and manages with his, also a true gentleman, son John. Feedback, Q’s, say ‘ello ? Use twitter and the hashtag #SodShow ;)

All this and so much more, on Dublins only garden radio show, The SodShow – brought to you by Greensax, the compostable bag for home and garden.

By |June 22nd, 2012|All Posts, The SodShow|0 Comments
Read More

Primary School Class To Sell Their Own Veg

listen to ‘Dans 5th Class Grow Their Own :) ’ on Audioboo

You may remember some months back, Fingal Libraries asked me to come up with and teach a 6 part gardening course to [including] Dan’s 5th class in the Educate Together School, Balbriggan.

Not only did class teacher Dan take it a stage further by organising the building of a garden for the class, in his and my spare time, but now he is to the point were the class produce is to be sold at the schools local Balbriggan Market, this coming Friday.

That mildly to one side, what I omitted from the audio above is that Dan also used the gardening class as the basis for their entry into the young scientists exhibition. Quite inspirational when you think about it. Also and still the best thank you card I have ever received ;)

By |June 21st, 2012|All Posts, Smile|0 Comments
Read More