Grasscycling is your way to a healthy lawn!
Too many of us over-water and fertilize our grass in an attempt to make it grow better and faster. Then we mow it, bag it and put it at the curb for collection. This doesn't make sense environmentally or economically. But there is an alternative.

Grasscycling, or mulch-mowing involves recycling grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn. It saves you time, effort, feeds the soil and makes your lawn healthier. All the new mowers offered for purchase with a rebate when you participate in Mow Down Pollution have mulching capability.

What are the benefits?
Less waste – Grass makes up half our yard waste, and the cost of dealing with it comes out of your taxes. Many municipalities are implementing grass bans, so if you start grasscycling now, you will be ready when it happens.

Healthier lawn and soil – The nitrogen in the clippings can replace up to a third of your fertilizer needs, because you are feeding your lawn as you mow. The clippings act as a mulch, promoting growth of a deeper root system that helps grass resist disease, drought and pests.

Savings of time and money – Without the chore of bagging grass you can save an average of 20 minutes per mowing. Because your lawn will be healthier, you will spend less time on lawn care, and less money on water, fertilizer and chemicals.

What do I need to do?

• Keep your grass 5-7 cm (2-3 in.) high to protect the roots from drying out.
• Mow regularly, removing only the top 1/3 of the grass blade. If the grass gets too long, adjust the mower blade and cut to the correct height gradually, with several mowings.
• Mow only when the grass is dry. Never mow during a drought.
• Prevent rapid growth with proper watering - soak the lawn with 2-5 cm (1 in.) of water every 5-7 days, or less often depending on rainfall.
• Use organic fertilizer and a springtime application of compost to improve the health of the soil.

What kind of mower do I need?
When shopping for a mulching mower you may come across the terms "dedicated mulcher", "mulcher/bagger" or "mulching optional". Dedicated mulchers have been specially designed to chop the grass finely as they cut, so that clippings fall quickly into the lawn. Mulcher/baggers are mowers that have been designed to either mulch or bag the clippings. Mulching optional mowers have been designed as bagging mowers but can be converted to a mulcher with a converter kit.

The Black & Decker electric and cordless rechargeable mowers and Great States push reel mower offered for purchase with a rebate when you participate in Mow Down Pollution all have excellent mulching capability.

Isn't it messy?
It shouldn't be. If you have clumps of grass clippings on your lawn, it means that the grass was damp when it was cut, or that it was allowed to grow too long between mowings.

Won't I get thatch?
Thatch and clippings are not related at all. Thatch is a layer of dead plant tissue that builds up between the soil surface and the growing grass. It results from rapid growth caused by improper fertilizing and watering. Clippings decay quickly, releasing nutrients and moisture back into the lawn.

Does this mean I won't ever have to collect clippings?
When you first change from a chemical system, it's a good idea to dispose of clippings from the first mowing, and de-thatch your lawn.

Collect clippings after the first spring mowing, to help the grass green up faster, and after the last fall mowing to reduce the chance of over-wintering disease.

How can I use the collected clippings in the spring and fall?

• As "greens" in your composter. Clippings are rich in nitrogen. Layer them with leaves, kitchen scraps and soil, for rich garden compost.
• As a mulch or soil enrichment. As long as the grass has not gone to seed, use it around plants and shrubs to retain moisture and choke out weeds; or use it as "green manure" dug into the garden in the fall.

Special thanks to ecoSource Mississauga for permission to adapt portions of their grasscycling ecologic tip sheet for use on our website. ecoSource Mississauga is a non-profit organization, committed to improving the quality of life in Mississauga. They can be reached at 905-274-6222.