When it comes to mowing a lawn, one of the common questions we hear is: What do I do with the grass clippings? Should I collect them in a bag?…Rake them up afterwards?…Leave them on the lawn to become mulch?
Some people swear by bagging and others say mulching is the only way to go. In actuality there are reasons for both.
When To Bag Your Grass Clippings
Sometimes clippings should be bagged and not left on the lawn after mowing. For example, if your grass has been allowed to grow unusually high, or if you mowed when the lawn is wet, then it is best to bag the clippings or rake them up afterwards. The reason for this is an overabundance of clippings or wet clippings will bunch together and create thick clumps that can smother patches of healthy grass. If your lawn has mold, fungus, weeds, or diseased grass, then the clippings should also be bagged to prevent these problems from spreading.
However, while many people prefer to always bag the grass clippings, and many mowers come equipped with the ability to bag clippings as you cut, this is not always the best practice to achieve a healthy lawn.
When To Leave Your Grass Clippings
A well-kept lawn can benefit greatly from the grass clippings being left on the lawn, instead of being bagged. This practice is often referred to as mulching. For the health of the lawn, and to get the best results from mulching, only the top third of the grass should be clipped off when mowing. This top part of the blade is mostly water and is filled with essential nutrients, such as nitrogen and potassium. When these short clippings are allowed to remain on the grass after mowing, they fall back into the lawn and quickly decompose into the soil. This allows the clippings to release their moisture and act as a natural fertilizer. Mulching the grass clippings can also provide a good amount of sun block for the roots of your lawn, and can also help keep the lawn from drying out during the hottest summer months of July and August.
I’m Grant Mayfield, owner of StandAlone Lawn Care, and I’d like to encourage you to keep an eye on your lawn throughout the spring and summer months. Make sure it’s healthy and attempt to identify common grass issues before they get out of control and ruin your entire lawn. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us…we’re happy to help.