Grass Clippings as Mulch Pros and Cons

Grass clippings are the cut grass or the grass collected after cutting. It can be used as a mulch for multiple purposes. Mulch is defined as any material that covers the earth and helps to retain moisture. Grass clippings are used as mulch in the form of thin layers. This is the final step to perform after weeding. Some people use fresh grass clippings, and others use it after drying in sunlight. The mulching varies from a thin layer to a double or triple coating. Grass clipping as mulch has multiple benefits and some drawbacks as well. Let’s discuss its pros and cons.


    Grass Clippings as Mulch Pros


    There are eight main benefits of grass clippings used as mulch. The mulch adds nitrogen to the soil. The grass is rich in nitrogen, and by mulching grass clippings, it restores the nitrogen in the soil. No chemical fertilizers are required after mulching of grass clippings. The grass grows well.

    The grass clippings restore phosphorus back to the soil. Phosphorus is the key ingredient for the health of the lawn. So putting back phosphorus improves the overall health of the lawn, and no artificial fertilizers are required. Phosphorus is important for the nourishment of roots and stems.

    Grass clippings, when used as mulch, bring potassium back to the soil. Potassium is necessary for the survival of lawn and healthy growth. Grass clippings are the organic way to restore potassium. Mulching of grass clippings saves time. There is no need to pile up the clippings and then threw them away. It can easily be spread right after cutting.

    Grass clipping mulching is an organic approach for the care of a lawn. It is ideal for large-sized lawns because it largely replaces expensive fertilizers. It saves money, as well. The clippings are recycled, and the landfills are saved from excessive waste. Grass clippings reduce thatch and save time.

    Grass Clippings as Mulch Pros and Cons

    Grass Clippings as Mulch Cons


    Contrary to the benefits of grass clippings as mulch, the drawbacks are half of them. If proper precautions are followed, these drawbacks can be covered up. The main cons of the grass clipping as mulch are;

    If the lawn has crabgrass and dandelions, avoid spreading grass clippings as mulch. It can spread them. Try to chop your grass clippings into fine tiny pieces. The clippings full of weeds are chopped up to pieces and spread all over the lawn. This will lead to weed growth in the lawn.

    Using chemical fertilizers is not good. The grass cuttings having traces of artificial chemicals may be harmful to the lawn. It may not decompose the way an organic fertilizer does. In order to get rid of chemicals, the grass clippings should be dried in the sunlight.

    Under humid conditions, the clumps may form in the grass clippings. It may have detrimental effects on the lawn’s health. After clumping, the sunlight may not reach directly to the soil and retards nourishment. The clips look bad and resemble dead patches placed on the land.

    Grass clippings as mulch can attract small insects like shrews and voles. When clumps are formed, it becomes a suitable habitat for the insects. These small insects can destroy the lands.

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