What to Do With Lawn Clippings?

After cutting your grass, you’re left wondering what to do with the leftover clippings. Don’t worry; we have a lot of excellent recommendations that will help you make the most of your grass clippings.

Many of us gather our grass clippings and place them in the organic waste container, which is picked up and disposed of by the council. Yet, there are a few additional actions you may take to guarantee a healthy, green garden. Let’s see what are those methods you can do to dispose of the lawn clipping.

Do clippings increase thatch?

Yes, grass clipping garden waste can contribute to thatch buildup if they are not managed properly. Thatch is a layer of dead grass and other organic matter that accumulates between the soil and the living grass blades. While a thin layer of thatch can be beneficial for the lawn by protecting the soil from temperature fluctuations and reducing water loss, too much thatch can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots of the grass.

Benefits of Leaving Clippings on the Lawn

Regularly feeding your lawn is the most important thing you can do for it. Grass cuttings contain some helpful minerals as lawn food (such as nitrogen and potassium), albeit in smaller quantities. Overall, grass clippings can meet a percentage of your lawn’s annual nutrient needs.

In addition, you do not have to do more work. These clipping act as a natural fertilizer as it decomposes. So, it is good for your garden and also for the environment.

What to do with lawn clippings?

Compost them

Composting is a fantastic environmentally friendly method that is becoming more and more popular around the country while reducing the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills. Grass clippings are an excellent addition to any compost pile or bin because of their high nitrogen content.

Mulch for garden beds

Grass trimmings can be utilized as mulch for vegetable gardens and in garden beds. Grass clippings, like many other biodegradable mulch materials, improve the soil’s nutrient content, keep weeds from growing, and help your plants retain moisture. The clippings’ nitrogen and potassium content is also excellent for helping to meet your plants’ needs for fertilizer.

Leave them like that

By keeping the grass clippings where they are, you can reduce the amount of time you spend on yard work if you mow frequently. This activity is called “grasscycling.”

Leave grass clippings that are less than an inch long. They will work as a natural fertiliser as they disintegrate, adding nutrients and organic matter back to the soil and boosting the strength and resilience of your developing lawn. Collecting and bagging the clippings will save time and energy while providing free fertilizer for your lawn.

Livestock feed

Cattle can be fed silage made from grass clippings. Silage made from grass clippings has been shown to have 18.2% protein. Moreover, it contains more digestible stuff than hay.

Liquid fertilizer

You may also turn grass clippings into a completely organic liquid fertiliser. Fill a pail two-thirds full with grass clippings to prepare a batch. Fill the bucket with water, then set it aside while stirring the contents once a day. You can strain it to get rid of the grass solids after steeping it for 3–4 days, then use the liquid as a gentle fertiliser. The compost pile can immediately accept the grass solids!

As a result of this fertilizer’s extreme mildness, it shouldn’t harm your plants when used. Depending on the size of the plant, a fair rule of thumb is 1/2 cup to 1 cup per plant. Pour it away from the foliage and around the plant’s roots.

Recycle it

You can recycle your wood waste, lawn clipping and other kinds of garden waste in a local waste recycling centre. Just call them to book your slot because some may only take yard waste on certain days, and let them know you are coming and how much clipping you have. So they can prepare for recycling. This is the best way to get rid of lawn clipping.

Conclusion

Lawn clippings don’t have to be a nuisance or waste material. There are several options for managing them that can benefit both your lawn and the environment. Leaving the clippings on the lawn can provide valuable nutrients and moisture, reducing the need for fertilizers and watering. Using them as a mulch in your garden can also improve soil quality and help retain moisture.

Composting is another great option, as it can turn your lawn clippings into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Alternatively, you could consider donating your lawn clippings to a local farmer or landscaper who could use them for animal feed or mulch. By being mindful of how you manage your lawn clippings, you can reduce waste, save time and money, and contribute to a healthier ecosystem.