How to Use Grass Clippings In the Garden
Grass clippings are an incredible source of organic matter for your garden and lawn. Horticultural expert Lorin Nielsen explains how to use them to boost plant growth.
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A well-maintained lawn looks great, but it often leaves behind a pile of yard waste. The good news? Grass clippings don’t need to head straight for the bin. There are plenty of eco-friendly and practical ways to reuse them right in your garden.
Recycling grass clippings can boost the health of your garden while cutting down on waste. When used correctly, they improve soil structure, help retain moisture, and break down into valuable nutrients your plants can use. Instead of tossing them out, you can turn those leftovers from regular mowing into a free, natural resource.
Let’s take a look at how to make the most of your grass clippings and put them to work in your yard. With a few smart strategies, you’ll never need to load up that plastic recycle bin with grass again.
About Grass Clippings
Grass clippings can be used in gardens in several ways. They provide the soil with nutrients, prevent weed growth, and preserve moisture. They contain 4% nitrogen, 2% potassium, and 1% phosphorus, along with small amounts of other plant nutrients. When decomposed, grass clippings also serve as a food source for microbial life from the soil surface.
Why Reuse Grass Clippings
Grass clippings are simply too valuable to throw away. Leaving them on the lawn after mowing allows them to break down in place, usually within a few weeks. If you prefer to rake them up, you can still put them to good use. Add them to a compost pile or bin, or use them elsewhere in the garden.
Here are a few of the top reasons to reuse your grass clippings.
It Saves Time
Lawn mowing becomes much more convenient and efficient when you leave the clippings in place. You won’t need to use the mower bag or grass catcher, saving time and effort on emptying it. The whole process becomes quicker, easier, and less time-consuming.
You’ll Produce Less Waste
Up until 2018, around 35.4 million tons of yard trimmings ended up in landfills each year, accounting for 13% of municipal solid waste. Grass clippings take a long time to decompose when sealed in plastic bags. By grasscycling instead, you can reduce your contribution to landfill waste while also improving your soil.
You’ll Need Less Water and Fertilizer
While grasscycling may not completely replace the need for fertilizer, mulching your lawn with grass clippings can significantly reduce it. As the clippings break down, they return essential nutrients to the soil, namely nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. In fact, they can provide up to 25% of your lawn’s fertilization needs.
Clippings also serve as a natural mulch, helping the soil retain moisture so you won’t need to water as often. A common misconception is that grass clippings contribute to thatch buildup, but when used properly, they won’t cause this issue.
6 Uses for Grass Clippings
Here are some great ideas to try in your garden to put those grass clippings to good use.
Use Grass Clippings As Mulch
Leaving mulch around flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs helps control weeds and regulate soil temperature and moisture. Grass clippings make an excellent mulch because they’re lightweight and decompose quickly.
Spread a 2 to 3-inch layer around the base of plants, using clippings that are ideally 1 to 2 inches long. Special mulching blades or a mulching mower can make this easier by chopping grass into smaller, finer pieces that break down more efficiently. Mulching mowers are designed to cut and distribute these pieces evenly across the lawn.
It’s best to use dry grass clippings. Fresh or damp clippings can mat together, forming a thick layer that slows drainage and limits oxygen reaching the soil. If you’re using fresh clippings, monitor them for matting and break them up as needed. You can also dry them out before applying if necessary.
Always make sure your lawn hasn’t been treated with herbicides or pesticides before mowing. Using chemically treated clippings as mulch can be harmful, especially when starting seeds or mulching around young plants.
Top Dress Raised Beds
Grass clippings are also a great option for top dressing raised garden beds. They help retain moisture, suppress weeds, reduce soil compaction, and provide nutrients to your plants as they break down. Simply spread a few inches of clippings over the surface of the beds. As they decompose, the mulch layer will shrink. Just add more throughout the growing season as needed.
Use Grass Clippings to Make Compost
Lawn clippings are also a great addition to your compost pile or bin. They’re rich in nitrogen and, when combined with carbon-rich materials, break down quickly.
Mix grass clippings with straw, shredded paper or cardboard, dry leaves, or other carbon-rich plant matter. For the best results, use one part grass clippings to two parts carbon-rich materials, layering them together. Keep the pile damp, and turn it once or twice a week to encourage even decomposition. As the compost heats up, a compost thermometer can help you monitor its progress.
This method also works well in a compost tumbler.
Leave Clippings On The Lawn
It’s perfectly fine to leave your clippings on the lawn from time to time. As they break down, they release nitrogen and other nutrients back into the soil, feeding your lawn naturally. However, be cautious not to leave too many clippings behind, as a thick layer can smother the grass beneath.
Leaving clippings in place about once a month can help reduce the need for frequent watering by acting as a natural mulch. Just be sure to remove any excess clippings that block sunlight or slow water drainage on the lawn’s surface.
Make Liquid Lawn Clipping Fertilizer
Grass clippings can also be turned into a 100% organic liquid fertilizer. To make a batch, fill two-thirds of a bucket with clippings and top it up with water. Let the mixture steep for 3 to 4 days, stirring once a day. When it’s ready, strain out the solids (those can go straight into the compost) and use the remaining liquid to feed your plants.
This gentle fertilizer won’t burn your plants. Apply about ½ cup to 1 cup per plant, depending on its size, and pour it directly around the root zone, avoiding the leaves.
Bring Them To A Community Garden
Do you have a community garden nearby? Many have a shared compost pile where neighbors can drop off plant and yard waste. Donating your grass clippings not only boosts the quality of their compost, but also keeps valuable organic material out of the landfill. It’s a simple way to support local green initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best thing to do with grass clippings?
Use them as mulch! They’re one of the best free sources of mulch out there.
Is it better to collect grass clippings or leave them?
You should only collect clippings when they form large clumps in your yard or if you are dealing with lawn disease. Otherwise, let them mulch the lawn for you.
How long does it take for grass clippings to decompose?
They generally break down in 1 to 4 months.
Why you shouldn’t leave grass clippings?
If your lawn is diseased, or the number of grass clippings will choke out other grass, remove them from the lawn and don’t use them in your garden.
Can grass clippings cause weeds?
This is one of the downsides of using grass clippings. Sometimes weed seeds or grass seeds remain in the clippings and can germinate in your garden if they’re spread on garden soil. If you want to avoid this, compost them first.
Can you mix grass clippings into soil?
You can, as a soil conditioner. They’ll add a little bit of phosphorus and potassium to the soil with higher amounts of nitrogen.
