To Mulch or Not To Mulch?

For many homeowners, mulching their lawn clippings can be a confusing topic. When is it OK to do it, and when isn’t it? How do you do it correctly? 

First, let’s examine exactly what mulching is. Instead of pushing grass clippings out a discharge hole in the mowing deck of your lawn mower, you seal the hole with a plate or plug. The clippings circulate inside the sealed deck, being cut repeatedly by the mower blades until they are fine enough to fall through the blades. These fine clippings decompose quickly back into the turf. 

In addition to the convenience of not having to manage bagged clippings, when done correctly, mulching can be beneficial to lawn health. It provides extra nitrogen to the soil and reduces the need for fertilization. 

There are several keys to mulching correctly. The most important factor is that it must be done in dry conditions. This means that mowing should be done when there is no rainfall, and not at a time of day when dew is present. Attempting to mulch with moisture in the grass leads to clumping and patchiness, eliminates advantages created by effective mulching, and damages turf. 

Additionally, the lawn should be mowed often enough that the one-third rule is followed. No more than 1/3 of the total grass height should be cut at any one time. The primary reason for the rule is that aggressive cutting shocks the lawn, reducing its ability to photosynthesize and weakening root systems. Regarding mulching, aggressive cutting tends to create excess material load in mower decks, leading to larger clippings that take longer to break down into the turf. This can lead to moss and thatch buildup. Additionally, overgrown turf increases the risk of weeds going to seed, which mulching can spread. 

Sharpen or replace those blades at least once per mowing season!

Finally, be sure your blades are sharp! A commitment to sharpening or replacing your mower blades at least once per mowing season leads to efficient cutting, which is critical for proper mulching. You can generally tell if your blades need attention, as the tips of the cut grass blades will yellow slightly after mowing. 

Correct mulching of a lawn can lead to healthy turf, less mess, and more time to enjoy your healthy lawn!