| Many of us covet our very own swath of thick, | | | | accumulation of dead grass stems, roots and shoots |
| pampered, deep green grass, don't we? So I can | | | | - not clippings. Clippings are like 80% water. They dry |
| understand you looking for the best way to mow a | | | | out and break down quickly. Recycling nitrogen and |
| lawn to get that. So you can have a lawn that | | | | adding organic matter back to the soil in the process. |
| makes the neighbors green with envy? | | | | The third myth is you're giving weeds a chance if |
| Fair enough. But I'll bet you didn't know you can easily | | | | you don't bag clippings. Not if you cut often enough |
| have a great looking lawn, with less work, if you can | | | | so you're only removing no more than a third of the |
| just forget one thing. I call it the Big Lie about how | | | | grass blade it won't. In fact, if you mow often |
| to mow your lawn that's firmly entrenched in the | | | | enough you'll encourage your lawn to thicken up |
| thinking of homeowners across the country. | | | | rather than be all thin and spindly. And thin grass is |
| Alright already! So what's the tip about best way to | | | | what really gives weeds an opening. |
| mow a lawn that most cheerfully ignore? It's to | | | | Plus if you don't mow often enough you give any |
| forego bagging the clippings. Anyone looking for lawn | | | | weeds there time to go to seed. |
| excellent-ness will carefully heed this rule. | | | | Of course as with any rule there is an exception. One |
| And yes, I know there are any number of reasons | | | | exception to the "No Bagging the Clippings" rule |
| given as to why bagging clippings is part and parcel | | | | would be when you have to cut grass that is wet. |
| of the perfect way to mow a lawn. But trust me. | | | | For instance if you're going on vacation but need to |
| They're all myths. In fact let me dispel three common | | | | mow the lawn one last time and it's raining. In that |
| ones right now. | | | | situation it's best to bag the clippings to avoid clumps. |
| The first myth is the clippings will ruin the coveted | | | | In any case, now you can't say you don't know how |
| lush, emerald green appearance you crave. Not true. | | | | to mow your lawn. Besides being the best way to |
| If you cut when you should with a mower blade | | | | mow a lawn this is a simplest way since if you don't |
| that's sharp you'll get a clean cut. Any clippings that | | | | bag clippings you'll get done mowing that much |
| result will be so small as to be invisible. | | | | sooner. And you won't have clippings to handle so |
| The next myth says leaving clippings behind causes | | | | they can be carted off to the land fill or recycling |
| thatch buildup. Again not true. Thatch is basically the | | | | center. It's all quite liberating. |