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Laziness could mean a lusher lawn.
I’m always looking for simple shortcuts to make my outdoor chores go faster and get me into a hammock with a glass of lemonade that much faster. And so I’ve never bothered to bag up grass clippings—I just let them fall where they may. As it turns out, that’ll do more than just speed up my mowing chores; it can provide some real benefits for my lawn.
Ready to hack your outdoor chores (and end up with a lusher lawn, too)? See why leaving the clippings can help your lawn in most situations.
The Benefits of Leaving the Clippings
If you do decide to leave the clippings, it can actually do a lot to benefit your grass—and make your lawn care simpler.
Lawn clippings help feed your soil
Think of the clippings like a tasty little snack for the growing grass. “Leaving clippings in the lawn returns valuable nutrients to the soil, like nitrogen and potassium,” says Matthew Koch, Ph.D., research and development fellow at Scotts Miracle-Gro. Just keep in mind that it’s not the be-all, end-all of fertilizing your grass. “Returning your clippings does recycle some nutrients, but proactively feeding your lawn with a fertilizer is important to replenish your lawn’s nutrition.”
You can water less often
If you want to double down on your lazy lawn care, leaving the grass clippings can help you minimize the need to water your lawn. “Returning your lawn’s clippings adds organic matter to the soil, which can allow the soil to hold onto more moisture and nutrients.” It’s like a light mulch that helps minimize water loss—and keeps your grass thriving.
Tips
If you don’t want grass clippings on your lawn, you can layer them into the rest of your garden to help mulch your plants and give the soil a boost, Koch says.
You will have less garden waste to manage
Weeding, trimming, and pruning all produce plenty of yard waste on their own—but this is an easy way to keep from having to haul bags of clippings to your curb every week.
How to Use Lawn Clippings Wisely
If you’re now Team Lawn Clippings, know that there’s a bit of care you need to follow to keep your lawn lush and healthy.
Break up big clumps
Clumping tends to happen when the lawn is too wet when you mow, or your mower isn’t quite as sharp as it should be—and they’re not good for your lawn. “Rake out any clumps so they don’t suffocate the grass beneath, especially if it recently rained or the lawn was still damp when you last mowed,” Koch says.
Mow regularly
Letting your grass grow until it’s several inches long creates bigger, more unmanageable grass clippings that won’t mix into your lawn as easily. Instead, keep mowing regularly. Keep in mind that you’ll need to mow more in spring and fall, when the grass is primed to grow fast. “Mow your lawn regularly so you’re able to consistently remove the top third of the lawn.
Monitor your lawn for signs that you might want to bag up your clippings
There are a few situations where Koch recommends bagging up your lawn clippings instead of using them to enhance your lawn. “If you see signs of lawn disease, do not leave clippings behind, as this can spread the problem. It is important to collect clippings during times of rapid growth as the excessive clippings can smother the turf and provide a harborage for diseases and insects.”
Read the original article on Real Simple
