My neighbor the gardener made me rethink grass clippings

I was bagging my lawn clippings last weekend and my neighbor Dave waved me over. He said I was basically throwing away free fertilizer and adding to landfill waste every time I did that. Apparently leaving clippings on the lawn returns about 25% of the nitrogen your grass needs each season. I had no idea it was that much. I've been hauling bags to the curb for 5 years like an idiot. Now I just leave them spread out and my neighbors joke my lawn looks like a hayfield. Has anyone else tried mulching mowers or switching to no-bag mowing for a whole season?

2 comments

2 Comments

irisg5713d ago

Does the extra thatch from leaving clippings cause drainage issues in heavy rain?

jessica_miller13d ago

Totally feel you on this one, it's such a legit worry. I've had the same fear every time it pours, especially after skipping a bagging round. But honestly, from what I've seen (and read from a ton of lawn care nerds), grass clippings break down way too fast to build up that thatch layer like people think. What actually causes drainage problems is letting leaves or heavy debris sit and mat down, blocking air and water. So long as you're mowing regularly and not dumping a mountain of clippings in one spot, you're probably fine.