MULCHING - NATURAL CARE FOR A LUSH GREEN lawn

When you use a mulching mower, grass clippings are left behind to break down and help fertilize your lawn, leading to healthier, greener grass.

Why Should I Mulch?

Mowing with a grass catcher can help you achieve a cleaner, fresher look, but making sure you mulch occasionally will bring you a healthier, greener lawn since all those finely shredded clippings will evenly distribute and fertilize your grass.

Mulching can save you the time it takes to empty a grass catcher as you mow, and you'll save yourself from having to buy fertilizer to keep your lawn green.

HOW DOES MULCHING WORK?

Mulching works by keeping the soil moist and shaded. Mulch also serves as a protective layer against heavy rain and cold temperatures, which benefits the growth of grass and plants. When you provide mulch to your lawn, earthworms and other organisms in the soil are better able to convert materials into valuable and natural fertilizer to supply grass and vegetable beds with important nutrients for healthy growth.

How do I make and apply mulch?

You can use either a mulching mower to leave grass clippings directly on the ground as you mow, or you can use mulch you've made at home from yard waste with a shredder and spread it where needed. You should use specific types of mulch in certain areas to see the most benefit.

MULCH TYPES and Uses

There are several types of mulch you can use to improve the look of your lawn and other outdoor areas. You can make grass clippings yourself, while other types can be purchased. Here, we’ll outline those types.

Grass CLIPPINGS

Grass clippings can be used in all outdoor areas, including on top of the lawn for healthier grass and around the garden for vegetable plants and flowers. Be careful not to apply thick layers as clippings may clump together and reduce soil breathability. Also, never use clippings of diseased grass or clippings with seed pods.

WOOD Shavings

As wood shavings decompose, nitrogen levels in soil will change. These changes can help keep out weeds and slow down plant growth.

LEAVES

You can safely use mulch made from the leaves of trees such as birch, maple and beech – as well as all types of fruit trees. Leaves from nut-producing trees such as walnut and oak can only be used in small quantities due to the presence of tannic acid. Too much tannic acid may affect the nutritional balance of the soil.

BARK MULCH

Bark mulch is particularly good at suppressing weeds, but because bark mulch also releases tannins and other acids into the soil, it is only suitable for pathways and around certain types of flowers, fruit trees and bushes. You should not use bark mulch for vegetables and perennials.

GRAVEL, SAND AND STONE

Gravel, sand and stone are ideal for perennial herbs, shrubs and flowers since they are inexpensive and allow water and air to reach roots. Using too much, however, can suffocate plants by compacting soil with heavy weight. We recommend using just one thin layer of these materials and choosing a light color to help prevent overheating of the soil underneath since dark varieties retain heat longer.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU MULCH THE LAWN?

During the growing season, you can mulch your lawn as often as once per week, depending on your growing or planting zone and how fast your lawn grows.