Conservation Corner
According to Scotts®, a premier lawn seed and care company, grass clippings contain the same beneficial nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, as fertilizer. Grass clippings can provide as much as one-third of the annual feeding requirement of your lawn. Homeowners who mow their own lawns can save themselves the trouble of bagging and disposing of clippings by leaving the clippings on their lawns. To make the most of grass clippings, mow regularly so grass blades do not grow too high and make sure mower blades are sharp before moving. Grass blades that grow too high and get left behind on the grass may prevent the soil from getting the moisture it needs to thrive, so always mow before the grass gets too high. While grass clippings can benefit the soil and contribute to a lush and healthy lawn, always bag and remove clippings if you notice signs of disease in your lawn. Diseased clippings can spread fungus that affects the health and appearance of a lawn. It’s also acceptable to bag clippings if you want to add them to a compost pile that will eventually be used to enrich the soil.
