Kelly Burke is a certified turf management expert with credentials in organic land care and holds a license for pesticide application.
In nearly all cases, it’s advisable to return grass clippings to the lawn by mulching them. The advantages of this practice are plentiful and important. Mulching grass clippings contributes essential nutrients to the soil and can lead to considerable savings in both time and money. Just like mulching fallen leaves in autumn, grass clippings enhance the soil by adding beneficial organic material.
Contents
What is mulch?
Mulch is a covering composed of organic materials that aids in moisture retention in the soil, protects against frost during the winter months, and assists in inhibiting the growth of weeds.
Ways to Apply Mulch
The most effective way to mulch is by using a mulching lawn mower, which is similar to a standard mower but includes a few enhancements. When purchasing a mower, mulching kits are often available, but it’s also simple to modify any mower for this purpose. These mowers utilize specialized mulching blades that feature additional cutting edges, paired with a baffling system beneath the mower. The discharge chute is sealed to keep the grass clippings contained beneath the mower deck. The baffling system facilitates the circulation of clippings within the cutting chamber, enabling them to be chopped multiple times and then dispersed into the lawn.
Impact on Thatch Development
A prevalent myth is that leaving grass clippings on the lawn leads to thatch, which is a thick layer of dead and living grass that accumulates between the soil and the grass blades. However, grass clippings do not contribute to the formation of thatch. They are primarily composed of water, and the remaining material is rapidly decomposed by microorganisms. While grass clippings can contribute to an existing thatch issue, regularly mowing the lawn and using a mulching mower will not result in thatch accumulation.
Grass clippings can sometimes clump together when mowing in damp or overgrown conditions. It’s important to prevent clumping and to manage it when it forms in thick layers that could suffocate the grass. This issue typically arises when the lawn has been allowed to grow excessively or when mowing is done while the grass is wet. Fortunately, if clumping does happen, it can be easily resolved by raking up the clumps.
Benefits
Consider the time and resources required to manage lawn clippings: gathering them with a mower, piling them up or placing them into bags, and then transporting and disposing of them, along with the frequent need to empty the grass catcher. The amount of time and effort spent on this task is considerable, particularly when you take into account the advantages that clippings provide to the lawn.
Recycling grass clippings into the lawn can provide as much as 1 pound of the nitrogen needed each year. Since a healthy lawn typically requires around four pounds of nitrogen annually, returning the clippings can eliminate the need for a complete fertilizer application, resulting in savings of time, money, and effort. Additionally, clippings are quickly consumed by worms, helpful bacteria, and fungi, which enhances the diversity and activity of the complex ecosystem in the soil.
The primary objective of a lawn care program that focuses on organic or natural methods is to reach a soil organic matter level of 5 percent. However, many lawns currently contain only 2 to 3 percent organic matter. Enhancing this level by even a single percent can require years of practices such as applying compost as topdressing, mulching fallen leaves, and reusing grass clippings. Therefore, the ideal moment to begin this process is now.
If the advantages of soil biology don’t persuade you to return grass clippings to the lawn, perhaps the financial benefits will. Investing in a collection system for a lawnmower is significantly pricier than a mulching kit. Each time clippings are processed, additional labor is required. A collection system must be emptied, and the clippings must be disposed of, either on the property or removed entirely. Even if these additional tasks don’t raise the overall expenses of lawn care, they certainly add to the costs associated with labor, fuel, and equipment upkeep.
When clippings are transported away from the location, what happens to them? There may be disposal fees if they are sent to recycling centers. Alternatively, if they are retained on the premises for a home composting system, it’s important to be cautious about pesticide application, as chemical pesticides can taint the compost.
When to Steer Clear of Mulching
- If your lawn has a significant number of weeds like dandelions and crabgrass, it’s advisable to gather the grass clippings instead of returning them to the lawn. By collecting the clippings when the weeds are about to seed, you can potentially minimize the distribution of weed seeds across your lawn during specific seasons.
- If the grass has been left uncut for more than a week because of rain or other reasons, it might be more prudent to gather the clippings or, at the very least, mow over the clumps multiple times to spread them out more evenly.
- Grass clippings might not decompose properly in a lawn that is regularly treated with chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. For instance, insecticides aimed at controlling grubs can eliminate a wide range of organisms, leaving the lawn nearly barren. Additionally, synthetic fertilizers can elevate the salt levels in the soil, negatively impacting soil biology. This decline in microbial life and earthworm populations can hinder the decomposition process needed for breaking down lawn clippings.
Is it advisable to apply mulch to your lawn?
Certainly! Mulching your lawn offers numerous advantages, such as enriching the soil with essential nutrients and helping you save both time and money.
When is the right time to apply mulch to your lawn?
Apply mulch to your lawn after the growing season, which typically occurs in late spring or autumn. Avoid doing this when the ground is damp.
What is the recommended frequency for applying mulch to your lawn?
It’s advisable to apply mulch to your lawn once a year. In the warmer months, you can enhance your mulching routine by doing it every third or fourth mowing.
