All About Grasscycling

Grasscycling is the natural practice of leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing. This can save time, money and other resources like landfill space. The clippings quickly decompose, returning nutrients to the soil. Grasscycling, can reduce water and fertilizer requirements, mowing time, and disposal costs. Yard trimmings make up a large component of municipal waste. It is estimated that grass clippings make up about half of all yard trimmings over the course of the year. The average lawn can generate as much as eight tons per acre each year! The nitrogen contained in these clippings almost equals the recommended application rate for healthy turf. Grasscycling can have the overall impact of reducing fertilization requirements by 25 percent or more. Similar savings on water use are possible. Mowing time can be reduced by 50 percent or more since the bagging and disposal of clippings is eliminated. Cost savings can even be realized in hidden ways. By not handling heavy bags of clippings, back injuries and other physical maladies can be avoided–a real savings on workman’s compensation for landscape maintenance contractors!

Step-by-Step Guide

Proper mowing is required for successful grasscycling. It is best to cut grass when the surface is dry (no drops of moisture on the grass), and keep mower blades sharp. Follow the 1/3 rule: mow the lawn often enough so that no more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blade is removed in any one mowing. Proper mowing will produce short clippings that will not cover up the grass surface. You may have to cut the lawn more frequently, or double cut, when the lawn is growing fast, such as in the spring, but much less when the turf is growing slowly. You can grasscycle with most mowers. The mower collection bag can be removed to allow clippings to drop on the lawn. However, if your mower does not have a safety flap covering the opening where the bag fits into the chute, or a plug for the chute, contact your local retailer to purchase a retrofit kit. A bit of experimentation might be needed to keep clippings from clumping when using a conventional mower. Please be sure not to compromise your mower’s safety systems. Additionally, most lawnmower manufacturers have developed mulching or recycling mowers which cut grass blades into small pieces and force them into the turf. Mulching or recycling mowers make grasscycling easy. Note that several brands of recycling mowers are available to help landscapers grasscycle. If you are thinking of replacing your mower soon, seriously consider a mower with grasscycling capabilities.