Grasscycling-Let the Clippings Fall

Grasscycling-Let the Clippings Fall

  • By Nancy Bolton
  • /
  • June 2016-Vol.2 No.6
  • /
  • 1 Comment

While taking the Master Gardener class, I came to understand that it is actually preferable to leave the grass clippings on the lawn, saving labor and time, but more importantly promoting a healthy lawn.

6 Reasons to practice grasscycling

  • It improves lawn quality when we allow the clippings to decay naturally and provides valuable nutrients.
  • It saves time and work.
  • All lawn mowers can grasscycle.
  • Grass clippings are a free source of slow release fertilizer
  • There is no need to spend tax dollars on landfilling grass.
  • It is a simple, easy opportunity for every homeowner to do something good for the environment.

Are there reasons ever to bag the clippings?

  • If the lawn is heavily diseased, removing clippings may reduce the diseased organism load
  • If the lawn is mowed when wet or excessively long, the clippings will mat together and could damage the lawn under the clumps of clippings.
  • If your mower does not have a method to operate without a bagger.

 

 

 

1 Comments

  1. Diane

    Although the new preferred mowing height is 4″, I feel as though I am walking through a field; and between weekly mowing, even more field-like.

    With tick season in full swing, I wonder, really wonder if this new height will make a difference to overall lawn height (compared to 3″)

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