June Turf Tips - Grasscycling

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June 2001 Turf Tips

"Grasscycling"

Grasscycling means leaving clippings on the lawn after it's mowed. This is an easy and effective way to maintain a healthy lawn. It recycles any fertilizer that was taken up by the lawn, as well as saves you the time and effort required to bag and dispose of the clippings, thus removing the undue burden placed on the landfills.

Grasscycling Myths and Facts:

Grasscycling causes thatch!
Thatch is composed primarily of fibrous roots and stems, not blade clippings from grasscycling. Leaving clippings does not contribute to thatch build-up.
Grasscycling spreads lawn disease.
Watering, fertilization practices, and mower blade sharpness have much more influence on the occurrence of lawn disease than grasscycling.
The clippings will be unsightly.
Cut properly, the clippings are virtually unnoticeable. Almost all grasscyclers find that their clippings disappear within days after cutting. Slightly longer breakdown times will occur later in the growing season as temperatures and the moisture content of the clippings decline. (note: extremely heavy clippings can smother turf.)
I need a mulching mower to grasscycle.
Mulching mowers can chop clippings into smaller pieces by cutting and re-cutting the airborne turf. However, a wet lawn or lawn that was allowed to grow a bit too long before cutting will jam and clog these mowers and give you an ugly, uneven or ragged cut. A mower with a sharp blade used at the proper time will keep your lawn looking well manicured and allow the clippings to be recycled without an unsightly lawn.

Grasscycling means healthier lawns�the easy way!

Send in your turf questions or topics you would like covered. I can be reached at nlakc@aol.com.

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Chris Karcher is a local franchise owner of NaturaLawn of America - the leader in organic-based lawn care and the only national service provider to promote Environmentally Responsible lawn care. "Doing the right thing has never been this easy!"