Mulching is adding a protective layer over soil to help with a variety of lawn maintenance concerns, including moisture retention and weed prevention.
When you mulch with a mower, or a mulching package like those available from the Grasshopper Company, sharp blades are used to finely cut grass clippings on the first pass. When the grass clippings decompose, they return nutrients to the soil. The decomposed clippings form humus, which helps loosen hard soils and makes more oxygen and nutrients available to grass roots. It also enriches sandy soil and helps it hold moisture better.
Why does mulching matter?
When compared to bagging or side discharge, mulching:
• creates a healthier lawn
• saves on cleanup time
• helps keep the lawn looking its best with no piles of clippings
• keeps clippings out of landfills
The smaller clippings produced by the mulching package decompose more readily than other clippings. The additional level of microorganisms at work on the mulched clippings has been shown to suppress certain grass diseases and reduce mold spore counts.
And here's a surprise – mulching reduces thatch, and doesn't cause thatch buildup. The microorganisms that thrive on decomposing mulched clippings also do a good job breaking down thatch. Perhaps the most important “bonus” is how great your lawn looks after mulching.
By improving the texture and content of the soil, and reducing diseases and thatch, the end result of mulching is a fuller, healthier-looking lawn.
There is a considerable time savings by eliminating cleanup on sidewalks, drives and borders by mulching in lieu of side discharging. Mulching directs clippings downward into the grass bed, rather than onto areas that you want to keep clean.
Using the mulching package provides greater maneuverability because you can trim using both sides of the deck. This allows greater flexibility with your mowing patterns and allows you to maneuver between narrower openings.
Whether you have a small lawn or manage lawn maintenance for larger grounds, mulching is a proven method for superior results.
