Don’t toss those lawn clippings after you mow! Use them for mulch, compost, and more. When it comes to cutting the lawn, many of us know that it’s a multi-step process. Not only do you have to take care to remove any debris or obstacles from your yard before getting started, but once you’ve completed the task of mowing, you’ll still have to complete other outdoor chores like edging, weed whacking, and sometimes even dealing with those grass clippings that get left behind.
Depending on how long your lawn was before you used your mower, you may be looking at a significant amount of yard waste that needs disposing of. But before you consider putting those clippings out with the trash, you will want to see what our expert says you should be doing with them instead. Not only will this help keep your grass looking its best, but some of these methods can improve the rest of your landscape as well.
Leave Clippings in the Grass to Improve Soil
If you want to help improve the quality of your grass with each mow, Russell Taylor, recipient of the 2023 Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Conservationist of the Year Award and vice president of Live Earth Products, says you can leave the clippings where they fall. “My first and obvious recommendation is to mulch the clipping on the lawn with a mulching blade,” he says. “Mulching the grass clippings helps to return nutrients and build soil organic matter.”
Add Clippings to Compost
As long as your lawn hasn’t been treated with herbicides, Taylor says they can also be added to your compost pile. “Be cautious about using clippings from a lawn treated with herbicides,” he says. “Picloram, for example, is a herbicide that can persist in compost for an extended period. These types of herbicides degrade very slowly in compost and soil, leaving residues that can be present in finished compost,” This also applies to those who are using their compost for edible gardens and those who just want to add them to flower beds.
“Do not use clippings from lawns recently treated (within six weeks of application) with the growth regulator herbicides 2,4-D, dichlorprop, dicamba, MCPP, or triclopyr in fields, vegetable gardens, or ornamental beds,” he says. “These herbicides can carry over to clippings, and compost can cause injury to broadleaf crops.”
Use Clippings to Mulch Garden Beds
Grass clippings can be used as mulch around trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants, Taylor says. “Apply a thin layer (1 to 2 inches) of clippings to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature,” he says. Just be sure you’re spreading those clippings evenly across the soil. “Avoid thick layers to prevent matting and poor air circulation,” says Taylor.
Grass Clippings Contain Seeds
No matter which of these options you choose, Taylor says you’ll want to remember that grass clippings can contain viable seeds. “Grass clippings can introduce seeds to garden beds, leading to volunteer grass growth,” he says. “To minimize this, ensure proper composting practices or choose alternative uses like mulching non-garden plants.”
Add Clippings to Vermicomposting
Those who use vermicomposting as part of their gardening process can add pesticide- and herbicide-free clippings to their mix. “Vermicomposting uses worms to break down organic matter, including grass clippings,” Taylor says, adding that this is a more controlled process than traditional composting. “Worms can convert grass clippings into nutrient-rich worm castings, which are excellent for improving soil health,” he says. “Be cautious and monitor the worms’ health, as they can be sensitive to certain chemicals.”
Make ‘Grass Tea’ with Your Clippings
Weed and grass clippings can be used to make a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer known as “grass tea,” according to Taylor. To make it, he says you’ll need a large container (a 5-gallon bucket works well), your grass clippings, and captured rainwater, which he says you’ll need to stir occasionally over several days. “Strain the liquid and dilute it with water (1:10 ratio) before using it to water plants,” he says, adding that grass tea can provide a quick nutrient boost to garden plants without the risk of introducing seeds or persistent herbicides directly to the soil. Taylor says that the process of making the tea will not remove existing chemicals from the grass blades, so this shouldn’t be done with grass that has been treated with herbicides and pesticides.
