![]() Mulching reduces weeds, modifies soil temperature, and retains moisture. See 7.212, Composting Yard Waste, for information on how to compost.Ĭlippings also can be recycled as mulch in the garden. Compost is useful for improving Colorado’s heavy clay or light sandy soils. Grass clippings contain nitrogen and can be a valuable addition to compost. If clippings are too long to leave on the lawn, there are at least two alternatives for recycling them: composting and mulching. Savings in labor, fuel and other costs can be substantial. Less yard waste means less trash hauling for municipalities. Many municipalities are getting out the message to “take the waste out of yard waste.” Yard waste makes up 20 percent of materials sent to landfills annually, yet 100 percent of it can be recycled. In selecting a mower, consider its ability to return grass clippings to the lawn. Kits are available to convert some bagging mowers into mulching mowers.Ĭhoice of mower depends on budget, mowing habits and size of lawn. Bagging mowers may or may not require the bag to be attached. Mulching mowers, a type of rotary mower that chops clippings several times before they fall into the lawn, are a good choice. From the viewpoint of leaving clippings on the lawn, any mower can do the job if the lawn is mowed frequently before grass becomes too long. Various types of mowers are available, each having advantages and disadvantages. ![]() If grass becomes excessively long between mowings, it may be necessary to bag or rake clippings to prevent them from matting on top of the lawn. Second, studies show that it takes less overall time to mow more often and leave clippings on the lawn than it does to mow weekly and bag clippings. Even with mulching mowers that finely chop clippings, mowing more frequently results in less turf stress and allows the mower to work more efficiently. The resulting clippings will be smaller, so they drop into the lawn more easily. This is necessary for two reasons.įirst, grass plants undergo less stress when the amount clipped is short compared to the amount remaining. When grass is growing rapidly in the spring, this may mean mowing every five days instead of waiting a full week. Mow frequently enough that no more than one-third of the grass blade is removed. To prevent grass from matting over the winter, some people lower the height to 1 1/2 inches for the last mowing in the fall. Lawns are most healthy when mowed at 2 1/2 to 3 inches, leaving the clippings on the lawn. Returning clippings reduces the amount of supplemental nitrogen fertilizer required by lawns but does not eliminate it entirely. When returned to the lawn, clippings recycle nutrients in an organic, slow-release form that promotes steady grass growth. Clippings contain nitrogen and other nutrients. Nitrogen is the fertilizer nutrient most used by turf. See fact sheet 7.202, Lawn Care, for more information on thatch management. Regular core cultivation (aeration) is the best way to prevent thatch. Grass clippings break down quickly and encourage the beneficial earthworms and microorganisms that maintain healthy grass and healthy soil. A healthy population of microorganisms and earthworms in the soil can digest thatch. Thatch is a brown, spongy material consisting of dead grass stems and roots.Įxcessive thatch is undesirable because it prevents water and air from penetrating to grass roots. The idea that clippings left on lawns will cause thatch has been disproven. An alternative is to leave clippings on the lawn, which saves labor and promotes a healthy lawn. ![]() Disposal is inconvenient and expensive and takes up space in landfills. Proper lawn care requires regular mowing and produces large quantities of heavy grass clippings.
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