Composting grass clippings is an effective way to recycle nutrients back into your lawn or garden. There are three primary methods for composting grass clippings, each promoting environmentally friendly lawn care practices.
The first method, known as “grass cycling” or mulching, involves using a mulching kit on your lawnmower. This technique shreds the grass so that it disappears into the lawn. “Grass cycling is an easy way to help your environment! Best of all, grass clippings are roughly 80 percent water,” the text explains. By leaving the clippings on the lawn, you also reduce water loss through evaporation and decrease the need for fertilizers.
The second method involves adding grass clippings to a traditional compost pile. This allows for mixing with other organic materials such as table scraps (excluding meat and bones), shredded leaves, coffee grounds, eggshells, and paper products. The article suggests creating a separate pile for grass trimmings if necessary: “This method alone may quickly overrun your compost pile with grass trimmings.”
Using grass clippings as mulch in garden beds is another option. This approach provides a free source of nutrients similar to pine straw or hardwood mulch: “Most people don’t know this, but grass clippings make a great mulch.” Aerating the lawn during spring and summer can enhance decomposition by allowing better movement of water and air in the soil.
In conclusion, these methods turn grass clippings into free fertilizer while keeping lawns healthy and reducing costs associated with commercial fertilizers: “Make your lawn shine by just keeping the grass clippings on the lawn where they belong.”
