Mulch Mowing

More work does not always mean better results! Bagging your grass, hauling it, and throwing it out is a waste of your time and of your lawn's precious resources. Mulch mowing simply means mowing your lawn and letting it lay. But won't that contribute to thatch? Not at all. Check out this excerpt from the University of Illinois:

The primary component of thatch is turfgrass stems and roots. It accumulates as these plant parts buildup faster than they breakdown. Thatch problems are due to a combination of biological, cultural, and environmental factors. Cultural practices can have a big impact on thatch. For example, heavy nitrogen fertilizer applications or overwatering frequently contribute to thatch, because they cause the lawn to grow excessively fast. Avoid overfertilizing and overwatering. Despite popular belief, short clippings dropped on the lawn after mowing are not the cause of thatch buildup. Clippings are very high in water content and breakdown rapidly when returned to lawns after mowing, assuming lawns are mowed on a regular basis (not removing more than one-third of the leaf blade).

That excerpt mentions frequent mowing and not removing more than one-third of the grass blade. While this may sound like more work, a study has shown that although the lawn is mowed more often in proper mulch mowing, overall time spent is actually decreased, due to no hassling with bagging. Grass clippings contain valuable nutrients that can return 25% of your lawn's fertilizer needs. It is the most efficient way to recycle yard waste; it saves time, money, and improves your lawn all at the same time! A win-win situation any way you look at it.

For more information on mulch mowing (a.k.a. "grasscycling"), view our
Grasscycling Fact Sheet
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