Author: Mark Wolf | Updated May 28, 2021 at 8:21 AM

Answer: The weekly lawn mowing ceremony in summer seems more formal, but the truth is that there is more than one way to do it "right". Disposal of grass clippings is part of a larger problem including fertility, pest control, and irrigation.

There is definitely an easy way and a way to manage grass cutting. Simple methods are suitable for natural processes, while taking a more laid-back approach to appearance. The hard way requires more time and resources, but in some cases it may be the only option. Read on to learn more about how to deal with grass clippings.

Returning grass clippings to the lawn is one of the best things you can do for grass. Doing so can reduce fertilizer consumption by 30%, regulate soil temperature, and provide habitat for nutrient cycling insects, earthworms and microorganisms. Decomposing grass clippings provides the soil with valuable organic matter, thereby improving aeration and water retention, and leading to deeper, healthier grass roots.

Either a mulch mower or a side discharge mower can work. In order to avoid leaving too many clippings at one time, please trim frequently and do not exceed one-third of the height of the grass at a time. For example, if your lawn mower is set to 2 inches, the height of the grass should not exceed 3 inches when mowing.

A common misconception is that grass clippings on the lawn can cause thatch. However, thatch is not composed of grass clippings. It is the stems and roots formed above and below the soil surface. The main causes of thatch accumulation are excessive watering, excessive watering and soil compaction.

Related: 8 Tips for Quickly Composting to Release Fertilizer

At the end of "May without mowing" or other long periods of severe overgrowth of grass, you need to complete more intensive cleaning, including hard mowing. In this case, it is best to mow the lawn at the highest setting of the mower and bag the cut grass clippings. Otherwise, the large amount of mowing left on the lawn may cause dead spots, lawn diseases or pests.

When grass clippings must be removed, do not throw them in the trash can. Compost them. Grass clippings are a rich source of nitrogen and help heat existing compost. They mix well with chopped leaves and even newspaper.

Another important use of old grass clippings is as a mulch for garden beds. Just like the lawn itself, garden plants also benefit from the thermal insulation and moisture retention properties of the mulch. Over time, newspaper clippings help improve the soil structure because they will rot. Apply a thin layer on flowers and vegetable gardens-up to 1 to 2 inches thick.

Dry grass clippings are best for this situation, because green or wet grass clippings tend to form a waterproof cushion. This is useful for extra clippings that are removed from the street after mowing, as they tend to dry out quickly when laid on a hot sidewalk in the sun.

Sometimes it is best to completely remove grass clippings from the property. If the lawn is particularly overgrown with weeds, it is best not to introduce clippings of weed seeds into the garden bed or compost pile. It is best not to reuse lawn prunings that have been treated with herbicides or insecticides for compost or mulch, as chemical residues can cause problems in the garden area.

The best and easiest way to dispose of grass clippings is to cut grass clippings frequently and recycle them in the yard. It is rarely necessary to remove newspaper clippings from the lawn, and even then, they can usually be reused on site. In most cases, managing mowing should be easy. Leaving them on the lawn is good for the grass and simple for you.

Related: solved! The big debate about mowing grass

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