1/13/2023 0 Comments Should you bag grass clippings![]() When should you start mowing your lawn again after winter?.Should the first mow of the season be short?.When should you first mow in the spring?.What is the fastest way to compost grass clippings?.Do grass clippings cause grass to grow?.Is it safe to use lawn mower without bag?.What to do with grass clippings after mowing?.What is the best thing to do with grass clippings?.When should I do the first mow of the season?.Should I bag my grass for the first cut?.Follow the 1/3 rule, never removing more than 1/3 of the leaf blade during a single mowing event.Use proper mowing heights (see chart below).Since thatch buildup is caused when organic matter is produced faster than it is broken down, you can prevent excess thatch buildup by using good lawn maintenance strategies and avoiding practices that cause your turf to grow excessively fast. If we’ve convinced you that leaving grass clippings in moderation is the right choice for your lawn, and that you also want to have the optimal amount of thatch, the next question you’re probably asking is, how do I make that happen? What can I do to make sure I have the right amount of thatch? So really, the relationship between grass clippings and thatch buildup is minimal. Tall fescue shows less tendency to produce thatch than Kentucky bluegrass therefore returning clippings to tall fescue lawns is even less likely to increase thatch buildup.” Department of Agriculture has demonstrated that clipping removal for eight years only reduced thatch buildup 12% in Kentucky bluegrass turf. Grass blades usually do break down easily. That’s because thatch is made up of those parts of the plants that don’t break decay as easily. However, research has shown that with proper lawn maintenance strategies, grass clippings do not cause a significant increase in thatch buildup. What is the relationship between thatch and grass clippings?Ī common belief used to be that leaving grass clippings on the lawn would cause excess thatch buildup. ![]() It can also make your lawn more susceptible to diseases and insect infestations. ![]() Thatch that is too thick can prevent air, water, and nutrients from seeping down into the roots. But if thatch builds up too much (more than 1/2 an inch), it can cause problems. In moderation, thatch is beneficial, because it can serve as an insulation to your turf, shielding it from extreme temperature and moisture swings. This can sometimes be related to what we call thatch buildup. This can happen in the spring and fall when grass growth is at its peak, and the clippings do not have time to break down between mowing. So if you find that clippings remain on the lawn from the previous mowing, you may need to bag. Excessive clippings can smother your lawn, preventing it from getting the moisture and sunlight it needs to grow. However, like many things in life, moderation is key. ![]() So not only do you save yourself the labor of bagging and the landfill from the clippings, you could end up saving yourself money in fertilizer costs too! We typically advise homeowners to leave clipping on the lawn to recycle these nutrients, which can help protect and grow your turf’s roots! The clippings typically decompose quickly and return nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil, which can actually reduce your need for fertilizer. ![]() Grass clippings contain significant amount of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, which are the nutrients in fertilizer. However, raking and removing grass clippings from a mowed lawn is not only a grueling and unpleasant job, but it’s also a waste of space in the landfill. Some homeowners love the look of a freshly mowed lawn completely free of grass clipping piles. What should I do with my grass clippings? We thought we’d take some time to give the long answer to these questions to help you understand the benefits and risks of each method to your lawn and how it can affect overall turf health. Should I bag grass clippings? Or leave them on my lawn? What are the pros and cons of each? Along with this spring growth, our lawns have started growing too, and Saturdays are once again filled with the sounds of lawn mowers firing up!Īs we adjust to mowing season once again, a common question we get this time of year is about grass clippings. The trees are beginning to bloom and the daffodils and crocuses are providing pops of colors to our flower beds. We’re finally enjoying some more consistent spring-like weather here in the New River Valley. ![]()
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