The grass clippings that regularly accrue after mowing are a real treasure. It contains important nutrients that promote the growth of all kinds of plants. It can also be used for weed control. And finally, it can also be perfectly composted in order to obtain rich soil from it. In short: lawn clippings are far too valuable to simply dispose of in the organic waste bin.
Lawn clippings
A lawn must be mowed regularly during the growth phase. This brings it into shape and ensures an evenly closed surface. It's a bit like cutting your hair: mowing also stimulates growth and promotes a beautiful lawn. Even if it can be annoying and time-consuming at times - without mowing, the lawn would wither and become unsightly over time. The problem is not so much the mowing itself, but rather the clippings that arise. Many garden owners are unsure what to do with it. Just leave it there? Throw it away or dispose? Or use it as fertilizer? Basically, lawn cutting is suitable for the following measures:
- as own fertilizer for the lawn
- as a natural fertilizer for other plants
- as a top layer to control weeds
- as compost
Own fertilizer
Cuttings like lawn clippings are organic material that will rot naturally. Rotting releases nutrients that plants need to grow and thrive. So clippings are a natural fertilizer. Therefore, it can simply remain on the lawn after mowing. The rotting process will start immediately. The fertilizing effect follows after a few weeks.
Tip: With a conventional lawnmower, the clippings usually end up automatically in a grass catcher. If you want to leave it on the lawn, you should remove this basket when mowing.
In order to use the lawn clippings as self-fertilizer, the mown stalks should not be too long. Basically: The shorter the mown stalks, the faster the rotting process begins. Long stalks, on the other hand, are extremely dried by the sun in summer and initially turn into hay. she
In addition, after repeated mowing, the lawn area is literally covered by it. The blades of grass then receive less air and, above all, less sunlight, which in turn restricts growth.Lawn mulch
With a so-called mulching mower, the clippings are extremely shredded and ejected again immediately. Anyone who wants to use grass clippings as their own fertilizer should therefore think about purchasing such a mulching mower.
Even with an overlay made of grass clippings, the lawn must of course be watered in summer. This watering is even necessary so that the rotting of the clippings is driven. So you don't have to worry in this context. Much more important, however, is that in all likelihood the cut of every single mowing process should not be left behind. At some point the layer could just become too dense. Therefore, the mulch should also be used for other purposes in between.
Plant fertilizer
The fertilizing effect of the lawn cut naturally extends not only to the lawn itself, but also applies to all other plants in the garden. It can therefore also be used perfectly as a fertilizer in beds or as an important supplier of nutrients for hedges, trees or bushes. However, you should always keep in mind that it takes some time for the cut to actually rot. It is therefore not suitable for ensuring the fastest possible supply of nutrients. The clippings can be applied in the following places:
- directly in the root area of the plants
- in areas adjacent to the root area
- in beds between the plants and in the aisles
- in the case of hedges, directly in the root area under the hedge
- in the case of shrubs, covering the entire area of the shrub
- with roses only to a limited extent in the root area
The lawn cut should always be applied over the entire area. The aim should be that no more sunlight can penetrate through it. Usually is a strength
1 cm is sufficient for this. Of course, when the plants are watered, the applied mulch is also poured. Under certain circumstances, this mulch fertilization alone may not be enough. Additional fertilizers are often necessary, especially for plants with a very high nutrient requirement.Note: When fertilizing plants, it is fundamentally important to pay attention to how and whether the fertilizer actually works. If, for example, leaf changes occur despite fertilization with lawn clippings, or if growth is slowed down, additional fertilizer must be used.
Top layer
Lawn clippings are perfect as a top layer around the plants. Such a cover layer has two functions. On the one hand, it ensures that no light can penetrate through it. This inevitably means that no weeds will grow under it, as this also absolutely needs light. Every mulch fertilization will therefore also contribute to weed control. However, under certain circumstances, seeds can also be entered. On the other hand, this top layer also provides a certain degree of protection against the cold. It is well known that even in May there can still be ground frost in our latitudes. The mulch layer from the first lawn cuts can be a valuable protection. And even the last lawn cuts of the year protect the plants from the first temperature drops in autumn.
compost
As an organic material, the lawn clippings can of course also be composted. You just throw it on the compost and wait until it rots. However, there may not be enough space for this. Especially those who have a larger lawn area and have to mow frequently are faced with certain limits. That is why it makes sense to drive on multiple tracks. The clippings should not only be composted, but also used for other purposes. When composting, it is also important not to be underestimated to combine it with other organic materials such as kitchen waste.
