Why leaving clippings behind is actually good for your lawn

Lawn mower. (Generic)

Have you ever finished mowing the lawn and immediately reached for a rake? Turns out there may be an easier and more environmentally friendly approach: grasscycling.

It’s exactly what it sounds like. Grasscycling is the practice of recycling grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn after you’re finished mowing.

“Grass clippings are about 90 per cent water,” stated the Town of Newmarket on its website. “When you leave them on the lawn, they break down quickly and return valuable nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to the soil.”

The nutrient is a natural fertilizer; it helps retain moisture in the soil, especially during hot and dry periods - similar to the weather we are experiencing right now.

Aside from its benefits, this green approach saves plenty of time. The Town of Newmarket shared some tips to help homeowners achieve the most exquisite lawns.

Tips for Grasscycling

Homeowners should ensure their mower blades are sharp. Dull blades can tear the grass, making the lawn more susceptible to disease and discolouration.

Town officials also suggest never removing more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing. The ideal grass height sits around three inches.

Some people worry that grasscycling might lead to thatch build-up or unsightly lawns, but that’s not true.

“Thatch is made up of stems and roots that decompose slowly,” shared the town. “Grass clippings, on the other hand, decompose quickly and do not contribute to thatch if the lawn is mowed regularly.”

Grasscycling, in return, helps produce a healthier-looking lawn by adding nutrients back into the soil. However, if a lawn is not mowed often enough and long grass clippings stay put, this can result in a “hay-like” appearance, which can be unattractive to some.

To learn more about your lawn, click here.