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Lawn care experts, having studied this process for many years, now know that dropping the clippings back on the lawn is a valid way to recycle nutrients from the grass blades. Instead of gathering the clippings in a bagger, the mower just spits them back onto the lawn surface. Necessity has propelled this research. Many municipal landfills no longer accept bagged grass clippings. Where recycling programs are in place to pick up yard waste, grass clippings present a heavy and cumbersome part of the pick-up. Reducing waste by "grasscycling" makes economic and ecological sense.
A few basics will help assure success as gardeners change to this new method of mowing. First, the key to returning grass clippings to the lawn is to cut off small pieces and scatter them evenly. The lawn that brushes your knees, on the first mowing, is not a good candidate for grasscycling. Mow often enough so that you remove about one inch of grass each time, cutting off about 1/3 of the total grass blade. Obviously, this means mowing every five to seven days during times of rapid growth. If you don't have to stop to deal with a heavy, full bag of clippings, the mowing will go faster. Mow when the grass is dry; wet grass won't scatter as readily. Keep your mower blades sharp too. Dull blades won't scatter clippings as well as sharp ones.
Watering and fertilizing practices can also help. Apply slow release fertilizers in late autumn to get your lawn through the winter. Look for a 3-1-2 formulation, such as a 21-7-14 (21% nitrogen, 7% phosphorus, 14% potassium), for Pacific Northwest lawns. Do not fertilize during the height of summer. Water correctly for moderate grass growth. Grass clippings contain about 90% water, and the small pieces decompose quickly, returning nutrients to the soil. Tom Cook of Oregon State University's Horticulture Department says, "Grass clippings contribute a surprising amount to long-term fertility of the lawn." Contrary to many people's beliefs, grasscycling done properly, doesn't contribute to thatch build-up. Thatch is a matting of dead grass stolons and roots. Thatch occurs naturally as grass goes through yearly growth and replacement cycles.
What about the mower? Existing mowers can be adapted to grasscycling. If you have a rotary mower, you can remove the bag. Some dealers offer special mulching blades for their mowers to better chop and distribute clippings. With a reel-type mower, just take off the catcher. When you are looking for a new mower, consider a mulching mower. Consumer Reports, June of 1991, has rated mulching mowers.
Properly done, grasscycling is a win-win situation. The mowing takes less time, waste disposal is reduced, and the lawn thrives.
For further information contact your local WSU Extension Office.
From The Gardener, Vol. 6 No. 2, Summer 1995
