It May Be Time to Rethink Your Mowing Practices
Conventional wisdom and perhaps even HOA pressure has most of us believing it’s necessary to remove grass clippings from our freshly mown lawns. We rake. We bag. We buy fancy lawn mowers that collect the clippings for us. None of it is necessary. No really, it’s not only not necessary, it’s actually a waste of time and effort.
Aesthetically speaking, gathering your grass clipping might be a “must do” for you. Clumps of dried out grass clippings aren’t “clean” and neat looking. But when it comes to the health and well-being of your turf, it is best practice to leave your grass clipping right where there are on the lawn as you mow. Grass clippings provide organic matter and nutrients for your lawn. Think of it as a natural supplement to the services or DIY work you’re already engaged in to get the healthiest, greenest turf possible.
Engaging in the practice of leaving your grass clippings necessitates using best mowing practices consistently. Why? In a nutshell, because the added organic matter needs to be able to decompose and reach the soil. Read more about best mowing practices HERE. 
Don’t have time to click? Here are a few highlights:
- Only mow when necessary. How do you know when this is? No more than 1/3 the leaf height should be removed when you mow. The height your grass should be depends on the type of turf you have.
- Keep your mower blades sharp. Read why HERE
- Grass clipping must be small enough to drop down through the turf canopy. A mulching type mower helps but is not necessary. If you are cutting your grass when necessary, the 1/3 leaf height should be small enough.
- Cut your grass when it’s dry.
Concerned that leaving grass clipping can create issues, other than it not being the “norm” in your neighborhood? Here are a few common myths about the need to bag/remove clippings that are simply not true:
- Encourages turf disease and weed growth
- Unwanted thatch build up
- “Smothers” turf and blocks nutrients, water and air from getting to the soil
The experts at the Virginia Cooperative Extension have provided a wonderful article about the value of grass clippings. You can read it HERE.
Of course, grass clippings alone will not provide your turf with the nutrients it needs to thrive. We offer both macro and micro nutrient applications through our lawn healthcare services. We also strongly recommend having at least one lime application in your lawn healthcare routine to maintain your lawn’s current pH level. Many lawns in our service area need 2 – 4 lime applications per year to bring the pH level up to the recommended level of 6.5. When your lawn “lives” at 6.5, the turf thrives while weeds are not so prone to do so as they like a lower pH level. To find out more about the importance of nutrients, soil health and ph, click HERE.
If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to the Pros @ ProLawn by calling 540-662-8316 or emailing clientservices@prolawn.com
