The truth about grass clippings:

Grass Clippings�"Good or Bad?

There is a myth, widely circulated, that grass clippings are bad for your lawn. The myth is based on the premise that grass clippings increase problems with thatch. That myth is entirely false�"grass clippings do not contribute to thatch problems. So, grass clippings are safe, right? The answer is�"most of the time.

Before discussing all of the reasons why grass clippings are good for the lawn, there is just one reason why grass clippings could be unhealthy. If you lawn has problems with fungus or disease, you should bag and remove the clippings, because leaving them could perpetuate the disease problems. Otherwise, there are many reasons why you should leave grass clippings on the lawn!

Grass Clippings are Good for the Lawn Because. . .

--The most basic reason why grass clippings are good for the lawn is that they are not bad for the lawn. Therefore, why spend time and energy removing them?

--Grass clippings of 1 inch in length or less serve as a great natural fertilizer. As the clippings break down, they return nutrients and organic matter to the soil.

--Grass clippings dry up and break down quickly, so they are not an unsightly eyesore.

--If you have an overabundance of grass clippings (you have mown the lawn after a big growth spurt), grass clippings make great free mulch, especially around tomato plants. Grass is also a nitrogen-boosting addition to the compost pile.

--Leaving the grass clippings can reduce your trash removal bills because you will not have to pay to have the clippings hauled away. (Many cities do not allow grass clippings as part of waste removal service, and those who do, charge a fee.)

Make the Most of Grass Clippings
To ensure that leaving grass clippings on the lawn does not cause future lawn problems, follow these steps:

--Mow the lawn twice a week during periods of rapid growth. This will ensure that the clippings never get to be too long to cause damage.

--Bag and remove grass clippings if your lawn has major weed or disease problems so that you do not spread the problems

--If you have an over-abundance of grass clippings, add them to the compost pile.

--Keep your mower blades sharp so that they cut quickly and efficiently�"you will spend less time mowing, have finer clippings and you grass will look nicer

So, the truth about grass clippings is that, in most cases, they are beneficial to the lawn and should be left on the lawn after mowing.