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Using grass clippings as mulch
 Moderated by: backyardgardener  

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Aussie Dogs Mom
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Joined: Fri Jul 4th, 2008
Location: Crestview, Florida Zone 8, USA
Posts: 4
Mana: 
 Posted: Fri Jul 4th, 2008 06:37 pm

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I know all the arguments against using crass clippings....importing grass seeds into your beds, too "hot" as it decomposes, makes a dense layer that doesn't let air and water pass through, etc.  BUT, I just can't use it all for compost, and I can't stand sending it to a landfill, either.   Anyway, I did it.  I've been using it for about a month now, and although not the most attractive mulch, it's doing the job.  I have about 1400 square feet of beds, so it'll be a good test.  About once a week I use a shrub rake to stir it up and break up the layers...very easy and quick.  It's decomposing well and the worms love it!  We'll see.

thanrose
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Joined: Wed May 14th, 2008
Location: Zone 9b Florida
Posts: 28
Mana: 
 Posted: Fri Jul 4th, 2008 08:01 pm

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I'm a cracker gardener, so I use the mulching feature on my mower and it's always been fine for me to use grass clippings in a light layer as mulch. Sure, there's the potential of spreading unwanted grass seed, but it's not so much of a problem if you mow regularly. If you have St Augustine, it has to grow pretty rampant before it seeds. I think maybe eight inches or more. Bahia has to be much taller.

I think you are safe with  the way you are doing it. Not too much and breaking it up now and then. If it gets to a funky clump that's yellow and musty smelling, that's not good.

Everything that grows in my yard pretty much stays in my yard. Either compost or mulch or fencerows.

Newt
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Joined: Tue Sep 2nd, 2003
Location: Zone 7, Maryland USA
Posts: 2534
Mana: 
 Posted: Mon Jul 7th, 2008 01:21 am

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Aussie Dogs Mom, I've known people that spread the grass clippings out to dry so they don't clump up.  I always recommend a mulching blade on the lawnmower. Glad it's going well for you.

Newt

biosphere
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Joined: Fri Jul 4th, 2008
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Mana: 
 Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 12:18 am

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I am one of those gardners who dry grass clippings - I spread it out on concrete driveway in the summer or winter - the concrete dries it in a few hours.  Drying makes it easier to sift and mix, and having it flat on the pavement gives a chance to spot weeds and seeds.  It is an extra step, but seems to compost faster.  Sweep it into a leaf trash bag to move it around - will also keep in the bag for a day or two.  (For when you get everything ready to mulch and it starts to rain....)

Jo Green
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Joined: Tue Jul 1st, 2008
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Mana: 
 Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 07:56 pm

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I agree with everyone else here that it really helps to dry the grass clipping before using them as mulch to prevent clumping.  I think you made a great choice by not sending the clippings to the landfill due to the fact that organic matter and the nutrients derived from it are being lost to the landfill.  An environmentally sound option is the direct return of fresh clippings to the lawn. There is an actual technique to this which is known as grasscycling or grass composting.  It is not only used to retain natural nutrients in your lawn but also your garden beds when used as a compost.


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