How to Create a Greenhouse out of a Trampoline!
May 22, 2012 by Heather
Hello Ladies! Today I’m excited to tell you about the most creative DIY gardening project I have seen. I think it’s so neat when people think of ways to turn something old into something new, and I was amazed when I heard about my mother-in-law’s plan to turn their trampoline into a greenhouse!
She told me that they were planning to get rid of their (aging) trampoline but she just kept feeling like there must be a way that she could use the galvanized steel frame for something. She was right- check this out!
So, today I’m going to tell you how my in-laws created a greenhouse out of a trampoline for about $100!
Here’s what they used:
- Trampoline Frame
- Piping ($2/tube, they bought 10)
- Wood ($20)
- Thermometers ($2)
- Red Tape ($11 for the roll)
- Plastic ($60)
- Screws ($5)
(That’s a grand total of $98!)
In the photo below you can see how they screwed the pipes/tubing onto the trampoline frame with an electric drill. They bought central vacuum tubing (it was cheaper than plumbing pipes). They were probably about 2″ screws.
In the photo below, you can see how they used half of the frame for each side/end of the greenhouse. No cutting of the steel required- just pull the frame pieces apart so that you’ve got 2 halves of the frame, and you’re good to go! Turn them so that the “legs” of the trampoline point toward the inside of the greenhouse, and that gives you something to screw the tubing to!
My father-in-law built the frame for the door out of wood and screwed it to the frame of the greenhouse:
(There is also a small window on the opposite side of the greenhouse.)
They attached the plastic (which you can get at Home Depot and is technically called 6mm Poly Film) to the outside of the frame with red tape called “Sheath” or “Sheathing Tape”:
Note: My mother-in-law suggests repurposing the mat from the trampoline, using it as a floor for your greenhouse. Unfortunately theirs got thrown out, so they’re going floorless for now. 
They tried using some caulking that was supposed to work for metal & plastic to secure the plastic to some other parts of the frame, but it didn’t work. They did find a good use for the caulking gun though- it’s great for propping the window open for air flow!
After having the greenhouse assembled, we had a really windy couple of nights. Windy enough that they woke up one morning to find that the greenhouse had been relocated- right over their little pond! To prevent that from happening again, they bent some rebar, and anchored the bottom of the frame to the ground like this:
Now for the inside of the greenhouse!
This is the first summer of the greenhouse, so everything is still experimental. This is what the contents of the greenhouse look like at this point:
That little table that they’re using to keep their plants on? They repurposed the frame of an old futon to make that! And they’ve got some pieces of lattice that they’re planning to use to make another one:
Did you notice the black jugs on the ground a couple of photos up? Those are bleach jugs that have been spray painted black. They’ve got water in them. During the day the water heats up, and during the night, they create extra warmth inside of the greenhouse!
This “press ‘n seal” plastic wrap works as a way to seal in moisture for some of the plants:
And these indoor/outdoor thermometers (that were 99 cents each) show the difference in temperature on the inside compared to the outside of the greenhouse. Here’s what the temperatures were when I was over there:
I’m totally impressed with their creation and excited to see how this first Summer goes! They’re still learning things as they go (for example, they’re thinking they may need to add another window for more airflow).
The finished creation is about 8 feet by 12 feet. The trampoline they used was a 15 foot trampoline, so it was 7.5 feet high, but they sort of squished it to get a bit more height.
Have you ever repurposed something old into something really cool & new? 
What’s the most creative gardening project you’ve tried or seen?
I hope this post got some of your creative juices flowing and gets you excited to think about more gardening ideas!
I’d love for you to visit me over at Raising Memories this week to see what fun things we’re up to (but you won’t hear about gardening- I’m afraid I have very little garden space after a failed attempt last year because of not enough sun in our little yard… that ended in laying sod over our poor little failed garden!)
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Holy SHmoly! This is cool. I would have never thought to use the frame! Nice job Heather. WHoo Wee!
Isn’t it such a great idea? I was so impressed!
Talk about some SERIOUSLY cool repurposing!! This is awesome.
Thanks Shelley, I was so impressed when I found out what she wanted to do, and now to see it all finished- it’s so cool!
Awesome idea! I have a smaller greenhouse, but never thought of using the black bleach bottles to heat up water…that is a great idea! Thanks for the post and tips!
Wish I could take credit for these awesome ideas, but you’re welcome for sharing them!
Pretty impressive! She’s got the brains, Dad has the muscle. lol
They’re a good team!
No way Heather! That’s just RAD!
Thanks Kari
I was so impressed that she thought of doing this!
How do I print directions for the greenhouse?
Hey Elizabeth, you could just copy & paste this post into your word program. Does that help?
That may be the most ingenious thing I’ve ever seen – and now I want one! I don’t think I’ll be able to talk my boys out of their trampoline…
Haha Yes, it might have to be an old trampoline that’s ready to go
Yesterday someone on facebook asked me: “but can you still jump on it?” haha
That is seriously one of the most impressive repurposing ideas I’ve ever seen … I wish them much luck and enjoyment.
Isn’t it crazy neat?!
Thank you 
A few years ago, my husband and I created a floor lamp out of 3 hockey sticks! We used the curved parts for legs, and used 2 hockey pucks in the center to screw the hockey sticks onto. We wired it with wiring from an old lamp that had cracked, and then just had to purchase a lampshade. The teenager we made it for was so excited, and everyone thought this was creative way to recycle old hockey sticks for a huge hockey lover!
Debbie, that is SO COOL! Did you take pictures of it??
I love repurposing ideas – this is crazy cool. Thanks for sharing!
My dad created one similar to this, and wrote directions on how to make and maintain it. He wasn’t lucky enough to have a trampoline frame to start with thought
He has a lot of garden info on his sight along with this “tunnel.”
http://garden.uvci.com/Garden/High_Tunnel.html
That’s really cool, Jedda! Thanks for sharing that link!
What a clever idea! Unfortunately our trampoline is still in full use as a trampoline…
If only we could find a way to use it both ways at once
VERY interesting. What a creative duo they are.
This is really cool. We just made a greenhouse last year out of poly and wood too, but I would have never thought of this. Great idea
Thanks Jenn!
Okay, I love this! We just took down our trampoline about a month ago because the mat has a 2′ tear in it. My hubby tried to figure out what he could possible do with the frame, he wanted a hammock out of it, but couldn’t figure it out. I love this idea unfortunately we’ve already put rock & a fire pit where the trampoline was or that would be an awesome spot for a greenhouse. I’m trying to come up with a greenhouse, but this might be a bit big but will definitely pull the trampoline pieces back out & look at it again. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for taking the time to comment here, and good luck with your greenhouse- I hope you can pull something off with your frame! 
FABULOUS!!
This is one of the most clever repurposing projects I have ever seen. When our trampoline has lived it’s life and my kids no longer want it, I am making this!
This is awesome!! A definite possibility for us. I have seen other greenhouses that have the bottom open in the summer. I assume it’s to allow the greenhouse a reasonable temperature. Does anyone know if that is a must?? Thank you!!
Well, all I can tell you is that my mother in law (whose greenhouse is shown in the post) has been experimenting throughout the summer with leaving parts of it open because at first, some of her plants were cooking! She has ended up leaving the door open a lot of the time, for more airflow.
This is a great idea. We ended up with a trampoline given to us for the grandkids, however we have a pool also and I’m hesitant to put up the trampoline thinking the grandkids are going to use it to propel themselves into the pool!! Now I know what I can do with the trampoline. Probably saved me alot of $$ in hospital bills!!
Wow,Super idea.
I scored a 24 foot aboveground pool with torn liner on bulk garbage day a few years ago. Used the liner for weed barriers and a small pool for the ducks to play in after patching tears and lining with clay soil to avoid ducks claws tearing it. The frame was added to my “One day I find use for this” pile. Well I see that it can be easy to use to build a simmilar style greenhouse. 12 ft wide and 12 ft high, perfect for starting my garden plants and season extending. As the piping is 2 inch diameter, I can connect 10 ft lenghts of ABS piping and still have a solid frame to work with. Thank you for the food for thought.
You are welcome! Good luck with your project!
Very cool! But your math is off. It cost $118 to make. Still very cheap though! Great recycling idea!
Oops, you’re right!
How much plastic did it take and what size pvc pipe did you use. I am going to do this next week.
Love it! What a creative idea!!!
Very cool – what a great idea! I love it!
What a very cool and creative recycle – love it!