#SHOULD YOU BAG GRASS CLIPPINGS FULL#
#SHOULD YOU BAG GRASS CLIPPINGS CODE#

What should I do with my grass clippings? We thought we’d take some time to give the long answer to these questions to help you understand the benefits and risks of each method to your lawn and how it can affect overall turf health. Should I bag grass clippings? Or leave them on my lawn? What are the pros and cons of each? Along with this spring growth, our lawns have started growing too, and Saturdays are once again filled with the sounds of lawn mowers firing up!Īs we adjust to mowing season once again, a common question we get this time of year is about grass clippings. The trees are beginning to bloom and the daffodils and crocuses are providing pops of colors to our flower beds. We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).We’re finally enjoying some more consistent spring-like weather here in the New River Valley.

#SHOULD YOU BAG GRASS CLIPPINGS CODE#

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#SHOULD YOU BAG GRASS CLIPPINGS FULL#

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Less work, better lawn and garden and saving money all adds up to some nice benefits for doing less.įor more information on mulching, see Michigan State University Extension’s “Smart Gardening” video below. They will provide nutrients to these areas and reduce weed germination making next spring that much easier. The small leaf pieces will easily break down over winter. If a total leaf fall occurs and there are too many leaves to mulch, another option for the leaves is using your mower to bag the leaves for use around flower beds, trees, shrubs and vegetable gardens. Leaves can be mulched up to approximately 6 inches deep and still have good results depending on the type of mower being used.

However, if strong winds occur, it may require mowing more frequently. Under normal conditions, the lawn should only need to be mowed weekly. After several years of leaf mulching, the process may almost completely eliminate dandelions and crab grass. Also, fall is the best time to feed your lawn. There will be leaf residue on the lawn but it will continue to break down, falling through the grass to reduce future weeds and provide those essential nutrients. Then mow in the opposite direction making a criss-cross or 90-degree pattern. Set the mower at its highest setting and mow as usual.Start mowing and shredding the leaves as soon as there is a thin layer on the lawn.To mulch leaves into the lawn successfully, just follow a few simple steps: The small leaf pieces cover any bare or thin spots in the lawn that are good places for weed seeds to germinate. The small decomposing leaf pieces provide nutrients to your lawn over the winter for quicker greening in the spring. You get a faster green up of your grass next spring while using less fertilizer.Michigan State University research has shown there are several eco-friendly benefits to mulching leaves back into the grass: 3: If you start now, you can avoid the raking and bagging and moving of leaves by mulching them back into your lawn. You could add some grass during these final few weeks of grass cutting to get a nice compost pile started for next spring’s plantings. Leaves are a great material for composting. 2: Rake or blow all of your leaves and start a compost pile.

1: Rake or blow all those leaves into piles, bag them up and either take them to a compost facility or on trash day, carry them all out to the curb for pick up. There are three options to get those leaves off your lawn.

While we can and do travel many miles to look at the fall colors, we don’t want to see those same colors all over our property. Fall leaves look beautiful on the trees but not so much on the ground.

Should you bag grass clippings