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What is Grasscycling?
Grasscycling is the natural recycling
of grass clippings by leaving them on your lawn after
mowing. Nutrients and moisture are returned to the soil
as clippings decompose.
How do I Grasscycle?
Grasscycling is easy and takes little
work and time! Remember the 3 inch rule. Let your grass
grow 3 inches and cut one inch off. Leave the grass
clippings on your lawn. Cut your lawn regularly. If
the grass is long cut off short amounts in several mowings
rather than all at once.
Why should I Grasscycle?
Save Time. By NOT raking and bagging
your grass clippings you could save up to 30 minutes
each mowing.
Save Money. Less fertilizer and water
are needed. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn returns
valuable nutrients including nitrogen, potassium and
phosphorous to the soil. One bag of clippings equals
100 grams of fertilizer! Being 90 percent water, clippings
return moisture to your lawn reducing the need for watering.
You are "Walking Lightly on the
Environment". Grasscycling is a simple, easy opportunity
for every homeowner to do something good for the environment.
It saves tax dollars. Leaving grass
clippings on the lawn reduces the need for extra Municipal
collection, hauling and composting costs.
What is the science behind Grasscycling?
Remember the elementary science term
"for every action there is a reaction." Well
that can be applied to Grasscycling. When Grasscycling,
allow the grass to grow at least 3 inches and then cut
off one inch. This simple action, causes a very important
reaction. The longer the grass, the deeper the root
system. A deep root system is needed to reach water
underground. So by letting your grass grow a little
longer, your lawn will more likely withstand drought
and develop an increased resistance to weeds and insects.
Common Myths of Grasscycling
Myth #1 Leaving
grass clippings on the lawn causes thatch.
Fact: Thatch results from abnormally
fast growth of roots and other plant tissues and is
caused by improper fertilizing and watering. Grass clippings
left on the lawn decay quickly and release valuable
nutrients back to the existing grass. Grass clippings
actually contain sugars that stimulate microbes which
facilitate the decomposition of thatch.
Myth #2 Grasscycling
is messy.
Fact: Grass clippings decay quickly
and disappear within a day or two. If you are worried
about people tracking grass into your house or pool,
cut your lawn early enough in the day so the clippings
will dry and settle into the already established grass.
Myth #3
Fact: The
spores that cause grass diseases are present whether
clippings are collected or not. Watering properly, only
when needed and keeping your mower blade very sharp
for clean cutting will help your lawn resist disease.
Still Have To Many Grass Clippings?
You can backyard compost grass clippings too. For best
results mix them with "brown" waste such
as dry leaves, straw or wood chips. Or spread thin layers
of grass clippings in your garden around plants or at
the base of shrubs and trees. However, do not try this
with grass that has been treated with herbicides or
pesticides.
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