I’ve been mowing the lawn since I was 12, and I’ve never collected the clippings. Naturally, the clippings would return to the soil and help feed the grass, especially with nitrogen, and retain soil moisture. What’s more, the clippings left on the lawn disappear so quickly that, even as a youngster, I found it hard to understand why some of my neighbors collected the clippings and discarded them. Why go to so much trouble to dispose of something that decomposes on its own and improves the health of the lawn?
At the time, this technique didn’t have a name. People simply “left the grass clippings on the lawn.” Nowadays, with recycling your own grass clippings becoming the ultimate in environmental techniques, it has been given a name: grasscycling. In fact, it has become mandatory in some municipalities.
The Benefits of Grasscycling
Grasscycling is so easy that homeowners who have always collected the clippings are astonished. Is it possible that they’ve invested so much work over so many years (and so much money in wasted plastic bags) for nothing? Of course it’s possible!
We’re also discovering that you don’t have to fertilize your lawn as often when you’re herbicycling. In fact, if you’ve planted a low-maintenance lawn, you won’t have to fertilize it, period.
Finally, in times of drought, a grasscycling lawn stays green longer than a lawn whose clippings have been collected, because by forming a thin mulch, they reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture.
In other words, weedcycling has nothing but advantages and almost no inconvenience. What are you waiting for to put it into practice?
How to Mow Efficiently
There are, however, a few tricks to make grasscycling more effective. Short-cut grass clippings decompose quickly; longer clippings tend to accumulate, forming unsightly clumps that don’t decompose easily and must be broken up and spread with a rake. Herbicomposting is more effective and easier if you mow frequently. Ideally, let the grass grow to a height of 10 cm (4 inches), then adjust the mowing height to 7.5 to 8 cm (3 inches). This equates to about one mowing a week if you’ve laid sod, and about one every two weeks if you’ve seeded low-maintenance turf (which grows more slowly). Mowing is less frequent in hot weather, as grass grows more slowly.
Can We Mow Higher?
Yes, and it’s even recommended as part of an ecological approach. Mowing at 10 or 12 cm promotes deeper rooting, better drought tolerance and weed reduction. This type of mowing requires less watering and fertilization. However, avoid letting the grass exceed 15 cm, as it will start to lie down and become more difficult to mow.
Note that clippings are distributed more evenly when the lawn is dry. Ideally, therefore, you should wait at least a few hours after a rainfall before mowing.
The majority of lawnmowers sold in the last 10 years are shredders: they cut the clippings into fine particles that decompose more easily. However, even an old mower will usually do an acceptable job. If you find that the clippings collect too much in clumps, run the mower a second time to shred them further.
In short, be environmentally friendly and a good citizen: recycle your grass clippings yourself!
What to Do for the First Mowing After No Mow May ?
If you’ve been waiting for the dandelions to finish blooming before mowing your lawn, the grass has probably become long and uneven, and clippings are now likely to accumulate in clumps. Here’s how to make that first cut a success, and get your grasscycling routine off to a good start.
First, wait for a dry day. Wet grass bends under the blade and the clippings form unpleasant wet patches. Next, set the mower to its maximum height. Remember the one-third rule: you shouldn’t remove more than a third of the height of the blade. If your lawn is 15 cm/6 inches long, it’s best to mow at 10 or 12 cmches/4-5 inches.
Don’t try to even it all out at once. First mow it to get it back into shape, then mow it again a few days later at the usual height (around 7.5 to 8 cm/3 inches). If the clippings are abundant and accumulate in a heap, it’s a good idea to spread them lightly with a rake or even run the mower a second time to chop them finer.
Larry Hodgson published thousands of articles and 65 books over the course of his career, in both French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public. This text was originally published in Le Soleil on June 21, 2008.
Thank you for keeping Laidback Gardener’s Legacy Alive!
My hubby and I never understood why people spend so much time and money to have “golf course” style lawns. While we prefer a more natural yard. Raking and drying our first cutting, becomes hay for our bunnies! After that, it is grasscycled. Fall leaves are allowed to feed our yard, as well as provide coverage for nature.
Blessings to you, your families, and the work you do. Thanks again, RV Thymes