Are you wondering if you can use grass clippings as mulch? Did you know that this is possible? Get to know how to use grass clippings as mulch by reading the information below.
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Guide on Using Grass Clippings as Mulch
It would be nice in the eyes to see your lawn that is well manicured. Typically, if you want your garden to look healthy and greener than knowing how you can take good care of it would be best.
One of the most effective ways on how you can look after your lawn is by mulching it. Some people tend to buy mulches, or some prefer organic. But one of the easiest ways to have a mulch is through the grass clippings that you have after mowing your lawn.
Grass clippings have the ability to perform certain duties for your lawn, including adding nutrients and ensuring that your waste bin in your yard is empty.
Using grass clippings as a mulch will help enhance the soil, preserve moisture, and prevent weeds from developing.
Using Grass Clipping Mulch on Annual Plants
You can use grass clipping mulch in replacement of soil without worrying about anything because you can still plant annual plants, including marigolds, begonias, and petunias.
You don’t have to worry about their lifespan because they have the ability to live in mulch. Just make sure that you are watering them frequently because they have the tendency to drain the moisture easily.
Grass Clippings as Mulch on Perennial Plants
If you plan on planting perennial plants using grass clipping mulch, then it might cause problems since they might not be able to survive.
But if you want to try it, then make sure that you will be watering them frequently since there will be no soil which will help the moisture to be retained. Also, you need to check the plants more often most especially during dry and hot days.
How to Use Grass Clippings as Mulch
If this is your first time using grass clippings as mulch for your lawn, then the information on how you can properly do it is essential. In this way, you will be assured that you are doing the right thing.
Prepare the Things You Need
The only tools that you will need are a rake and a lawnmower. You may also need straws, manures, or even dry leaves to add up to the clipping so preparing everything that you need is essential.
Mow Your Lawn
Once you have everything ready, you need to start mowing your lawn. Make sure just to cut the grass to its desired length. You don’t have to worry about anything because you can just mow your lawn the way you are mowing it.
Leave the Grass Clippings to Dry
Now once you are done mowing your lawn, the next thing that you need to do is just to let the clippings on the lawn to stay on your lawn. Let the sun dry them up while turning them using a rake several times until you are sure that they are all dry.
Once they become dry, you can start spreading at least 2 inches of grass clippings on the top part of your soil. You can do this around the fruit trees that you have or your vegetable garden.
This will help the weeds to be kept down and will help the moisture be retained. It would also be best to place the mulch in between the plants or even on top of them if you please.
Composting Grass Clippings
You can also start composting the grass clippings that you have by raking them immediately once you are done mowing. You can move them in an area that is sunny, for them to be able to start composting.
You may add little manure, straw, or dry leaves to your grass clippings. Always remember to add water and ensure to stir the compost every couple of weeks.
After 3 to 6 months, you will notice that the grass clippings have already turned brown to dark brown and will become flakier. You can use a 3-inch layer of compost grass clippings around your plants in the garden.
Just make sure that the mulch won’t come in contact with stalks, stems, or trunks.
Do a Grasscycling
It would be best only to cut the lawn at least one-third of its height and let the clipping fall, as this will mulch your lawn efficiently. This type of practice is known as grasscycling, wherein you will let the clippings of the grass just to decompose and let the nutrients return to your soil.
Benefits of Grass Clipping As Mulch
One of the main benefits of using grass clipping as mulch is that it helps the moisture be conserved. It also can add at least 25% of the nutrients, which is usually removed from the soil.
Another good thing about grass clippings is that they are rich in nitrogen, which is known as a macro-nutrient that is essential for your plants to flourish and grow healthily.
Planting Seeds in Grass Clipping Mulch
If you are planning to plant seeds in grass clipping mulch, then you should expect that it might be too difficult. But you can, of course, give it a try since you will be able to discover the techniques that will work.
Also, put in mind that mulch won’t be able to provide the support that your seedling needs. So if you are still going to pursue, then you need to at least plant the seeds in at least 8 inches of mulch.
You don’t have to worry about the expenses since you will be using grass clippings.
Wrapping Up Our Guide on Using Grass Clippings as Mulch
These are all the information that you need on how to use grass clippings as mulch and how you can also grow the plants that you want.
Using grass clippings have benefits, and you will surely want your lawn to get all these benefits for it to be able to grow well and healthily. Using grass clippings as mulch is great and inexpensive as well.