| Each time you mow the lawn, and spend time | | | | organic matter that prevents water and air from |
| emptying the clippings from the box into a bin, have | | | | entering easily into the soil. Thatch is caused by those |
| you never wished you could just leave the clippings | | | | parts of the grass such as the stems and roots that |
| on the ground as the mower cuts the grass? You | | | | break down extremely slowly, and not by lawn |
| may well be in the habit of collecting them all the | | | | clippings that as previously mentioned, break down |
| same from fear that not doing so will damage the | | | | rapidly. |
| grass. Well it may do so, if the act of lawn mowing is | | | | The benefits of not collecting the grass |
| carried out incorrectly, but if performed in a certain | | | | *Less waste matter is deposited in the land-fills - a |
| way, not only is it possible to leave the cut grass | | | | significant environmental benefit. |
| where it is, but it is actually advantageous to do so. | | | | *As grass leaves are rich in nitrogen, less fertilizer is |
| Mowed grass clippings dry out so quickly that just a | | | | required for the lawn as a whole. Remember that |
| day after mowing, the residues should have | | | | high concentrations of nitrogen fertilizer encourage |
| disappeared. If clippings are still clearly visible, then the | | | | the development of a thatch layer. Together with |
| sign is that you've been late in mowing and | | | | the nitrogen being released as the clippings degrade, |
| consequently cut too much. This by itself damages | | | | slow release fertilizer can be applied at relatively low |
| the grass, quite apart from the fact that it is | | | | levels. In this way another environmental benefit is |
| obviously undesirable to smother the lawn with dead | | | | achieved, as nitrates leaching into the water table (a |
| matter. A lawn in its growing season should be cut to | | | | consequence of spreading immediately soluble |
| a frequency and at a height, that not more than | | | | nitrogen fertilizer) is a major source of pollution. |
| about 40% of the leaf is removed at any one time. | | | | Finally, mowing more often while removing less grass |
| This means that you should be mowing every 3-5 | | | | each time, is not only a major factor contributing to |
| days or so. Under such a regime, it is perfectly safe | | | | a successful lawn, but should save you time overall, |
| not to collect the clippings. | | | | as mowing actually becomes easier and can be |
| Leaving the clippings to dry out on the lawn does not | | | | carried out more efficiently. Oh! And you won't have |
| contribute to the build up of thatch - the layer of | | | | to collect and empty the grass clippings anymore! |