Should you bag grass clippings3/3/2023 ![]() If you have treated the grass with any pesticides, only put it in the compost since the lingering chemicals can poison the other plants.įor more lawn care tips and tricks, plow through the links on the next page. If you're growing a summer vegetable garden, you can mix the grass in with the soil as a natural fertilizer for the plants as well. Similarly, you can sprinkle it around plant beds or along landscapes as a mulch to fortify and protect it from water erosion. Their nutrients will feed the health of the compost. Where else can you use them? You can incorporate cut grass into your composting pile. However, if you have a layer of thatch a half-inch thick (1.2 centimeters), collect your clippings and use them elsewhere in your yard. According to the Environmental Protect Agency, since grass clippings are made up of 90 percent water, they break down quickly and do not contribute to thatch build-up. Thatch refers to a layer of organic matter made of partially or un-decomposed bits of grass plants that chokes out new growth. Some people fear that leaving the clippings promotes the formation of thatch. The healthier your grass becomes, the less water it needs because its roots absorb it more efficiently. Speaking of nutrients, what does the grass recycling give back to the lawn? Because of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in grass, this byproduct can provide up to 25 percent of the fertilizer your lawn needs. That promotes decomposition to allow the nutrients to reach the soil faster. Mulching lawn mowers are made with an extra blade that chops up the grass more finely before releasing it onto the ground. Push mowers may demand a little more muscle power to get it across the yard, but will usually cost less than a mulching model. If you're in the market for a new mower and want to go bag-free, check out the old-fashioned push mower or an electric mulch mower. These lawn maintenance steps can save you time and money and leave you with a healthier, more attractive lawn.ĭoes it sound too good to be true? Read on to the next page to find out how you can green your lawn, both figuratively and literally, by saying good-bye to the bag. Because of benefits like these, Americans composted 20 million tons of yard waste including grass clippings in 2006. Many agricultural experts recommend following a "Don't Bag It" program, originally designed in Texas, to exploit the benefits of allowing clippings to fall to the ground. On the other hand, if you keep your grass clippings, you can turn it into a natural fertilizer, mulch and soil additive to enrich your lawn. The minerals and any pesticides used to treat it decompose and eventually seep into groundwater supplies. For the extremely overgrown lawn, it’s still better to remove. ![]() For lawn disease, pick up the clippings to avoid spreading the fungus. If your grass is extremely overgrown, or worse, you see signs of lawn disease, then bagging would be the better option. ![]() Once they get to the landfill, the nutrients that could go back into the soil are totally wasted. Try to avoid a surge in growth by using a slow-release fertilizer. It's best to change mowing patterns 90 degrees opposite each week.Does that mean that not bagging your grass is better for the environment? What harm could a little grass do at a dump?īagging grass consumes far more energy, if you think about the waste from making the grass bags and transporting heavy loads to the dump. If a lawn is always mowed in the same direction, grass will "lean" or grow in one particular direction, Mann said. If you're unsure of how long to leave your grass, consult a landscape expert about what varieties of grass are growing in your lawn. Most grass varieties across the nation thrive at 2.5 to 3 inches, but some, such as those in Florida, might like to be cut shorter or taller, Mann said. More: Here's why you should avoid raking your leaves Cut grass between 2.5 and 3 inches Changing the mower blade or sharpening it once a year can prevent that. ![]() Sometimes, those infections cause spots and odd patterns in the lawn. People mowing with a dull blade are shredding their lawn instead of properly cutting it, which leaves space for fungi to attack. "The sharpness of the blade is paramount," Mann said. Here are a few other tips for mowing your lawn the best way: Change your blade once a year, or else things might get ugly Second, never let grass clippings blow into roads or walkways, because - healthy or not - the grass blades high in nutrients can cause problems for sewers and waterways. First, if your grass has lawn disease, it's best to remove clippings so the disease doesn't spread, Scotts Lawn Care notes. While letting grass clippings lie is best, there are two reasons you might want to retrieve them. "Grass clippings are made of very soft tissue that decomposes rapidly," Mann said.
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