should i bag my grass clippings after overseeding

I always mulch my grass but my lawn is in pristine condition, there are a number of factors you need to consider when deciding whether to bag your grass clippings or mulch them. The mulched clippings will provide some nutrients as well as help hold in water and shade the ground. The mulched clippings will provide some nutrients as well as help hold in water and shade the ground. If herbicides or other materials like insecticides were applied, you won’t want to use these as compost on your garden. For example, for grass that is 4.5 inches tall, do not mow shorter than 3 inches. I just mowed it for the third time yesterday. Grass clippings are mostly water, so as long as you mow regularly at the right height, they will break down and disappear rapidly. As a professional lawn care company, this is one of our most common questions. No. Recycle Your Grass Clippings. Now you can do your part with making your lawn look even better! You’ll have to carry, bad, and dump your debris while you mow. You can read our COVID-19 statement here. Yes. Be careful as they will get buried into the ground in these conditions. Lawn experts for over 10 years. Economically, it makes sense to mulch year-round for incredibly large areas of grass such as parks or fields. Personally, when mowing an overseeded area (after waiting until appoximately a week after all the seeds have germinated), I use a bag to avoid the grass clippings covering up the newly-germinated new grass, at least until the new grass is generally all at about the same height as the previously-existing grass. Recycling your turf grass clippings significantly reduces the amount of fertilizer you’ll need since it keeps the nitrogen in the lawn. (I was told set the mower to the highest setting for the 1st mow). How to Overseed a Lawn. But giving into the temptation to leave grass clippings on your lawn could be the best thing you do for your grass. Place a bag on your mower to catch clippings as you cut the grass. … Yes. If you see signs of lawn disease, pick up the clippings to avoid spreading the problem. ... Should I bag lawn clippings when I mow? Rake up excessively long clippings and bag them so that they don't mat on the surface of your lawn. Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) is an aggressive weed that can overtake your lawn if not properly treated. When we design our lawn care programs, we do so based on people recycling their clippings back to their lawn. Do not allow the grass to get too long between mowing, try not to remove more than 1/3 of the blade during each mowing. Should I bag my grass clippings after overseeding? Apply fertilizer. Most of the time, mulching your clippings is the best option. I still pushed through with my plan to dethatch and overseed the front yard. How Often Should Grass Be Watered After it Is Fertilized? The compost is ready when it smells earthy and crumbles like rich dirt between your fingers. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. When you mow frequently enough, mulching mowers chop up those clippings and don’t even allow them to be seen. Start by mowing your grass low - an inch or so lower than normal. If you need help with the rest of what it takes to make your lawn look its best, please Contact Us when considering your choices for lawn care companies. Different varieties of grass have varying seeding rates, and because grass seed is typically sold in blends, the bag will have the most accurate ratio for that particular blend. This compost is best for your lawn. I read the steps to overseeding article which states that the first mowing after overseeding should be when the new grass is 2.5-3 inches tall. The mower setting should be around 1 to 1½ inches high. Bag or mulch? Studies have shown that almost 20% of solid waste deposited in landfills is that from yard debris. What you are hoping for is there will be no more looose seed and any that gets into the mulching mower will not become destroyed. However, a mulching blade chops up clippings into finer pieces so they decompose faster and don’t clump as quickly. Thanks again for the advice and i guess the consensus is to just reseed the bare areas and leave the rest of the seed stored away. Only remove one-third the height of grass at a time when mowing to avoid stressing your lawn. How to Spread Out Awful Grass Clipping Clumps. Thatch is a naturally-occurring layer of both decomposed stems and roots that grows between the grass blades and the soil. Should I Bag or Mulch my Grass Clippings. When you aerate your lawn it is the perfect time to overseed it as there will be holes all over that the seeds will have a … The clippings that are left behind decompose rapidly and do not contribute to thatch. Add topsoil - mixed with seed - to low or bare areas. Be careful not to set the mower too low, as it may scalp the lawn. Premium Lawn Service answers your questions about lawn care, weed control, overseeding, aerating, watering, and more. Surprisingly, grass clippings are more useful than you may think. What you are hoping for is there will be no more looose seed and any that gets into the mulching mower will not become destroyed. If possible, use a mower with a bagger to collect the clippings and remove any dead material left from winter dor… Choose a Grass Seed. Ah yes, to bag or not to bag your grass clippings…that is the question. The seedlings are no longer than 1/2" max but many have just germinated and are less than 1/4". Spread seed at recommended seeding rates (found on bag label). Home // Blog // Should I Bag or Mulch my Grass Clippings? 6. Mowing: Mow the lawn slightly lower than the regular summer mowing height of 1½ to 2 inches. You may opt to use chemicals to help the ryegrass die out on time so the Bermuda grass … But if you have patches of diseased grass on your lawn, you should bag the clippings and dispose of them. Always use a sharp blade to reduce jagged cuts and pulling, which stress the grass and can cause disease. Do not bag the clippings. Otherwise, you risk letting the disease spread to other areas of the lawn. After doing my best this year, I was ravaged by grubs coming out of summer. Method #1 Leave the Lawn Clippings. There are few times that we would actually recommend bagging your grass clippings. Leaving clippings on the grass adds moisture to your lawn and can add nutrients. Check with your lawn care company as to what was applied on your last lawn care service. No. Be sure to follow the rates listed for overseeding, as it will be lower. I lost tons of grass because I didn't know my lawn had grubs and I didn't put down a preventative. You don’t keep your lawn moist after aerating and overseeding. Select the best fertilizer, and load it into a fertilizer spreader. My overseeding will be done this Friday. Fertilize with a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Then, scatter around … Every year, I would use my 19" push mower, mow short and bag the clippings before overseeding. Should I Bag the First Cut of New St. Augustine Sod? Leaving lawn clippings after the lawn has been mowed has some benefits that you may not have considered, but there are certainly some drawbacks to leaving them too. There are few times that we would actually recommend bagging your grass clippings. Even in a healthy lawn, overseeding can be extremely beneficial. Percentage of Nitrogen in Grass Clippings. When to bag grass clippings. Research has shown that over a 3-year period, clippings from lawns contained between 46%-59% of nitrogen that was applied to the lawn (fertilizer). So, Should I Bag My Grass Clippings if I have Weeds in My Lawn? They encourage earthworms and microorganisms that break them down over the course of just a few weeks. This is particularly true in cooler climates in the northern US. You should bag your clippings if the grass is tall, leaves are covering the lawn, or you need to prevent disease and weeds from spreading. Measure your grass blades with a ruler. Mulching is preferable to collecting grass clippings – The compost you will create with mulched grass clippings will help to retain much needed moisture for new grass plants and also provide them with more nutrients. We’ve put safeguards in place to protect our clients and coworkers. You can add them to your compost pile as a nitrogen booster, letting them decompose with other compost materials, such as leaves, coffee grounds and kitchen waste, for two weeks to four months. However, whenever you can, mulch your clippings. This may mean you need to mow more than once a week in peak growing times so you’re only removing 1/3 of the grass blade each time you mow. Likewise, a study in a city with 80,000 people revealed that over 700 tons of grass clippings were collected and disposed of in their landfill each WEEK! Mowing more closely and collecting the clippings, helps the new grass seedlings get more light to encourage good strong growth. Mow your lawn when it's dry to prevent the clippings from matting, which could cause them to block sunlight and water from the soil. It has been a month since seeding. New grass plants are fragile and easily damaged. Prior to mowing, you should discontinue watering for 1 day before mowing to let the lawn dry out. Place a bag on your mower to catch clippings as you cut the grass. Should I bag my grass clippings after overseeding? 5. University of Idaho: Don't Bag It! That’s why it’s smartest to wait around a week, or more if possible, to allow the new seeds to settle. The existing grass is now at the point where it's starting to flop over and looks bad. This will score the soil’s surface. It's best to still remove only one-third of the grass height per mowing session, gradually reducing the grass to the appropriate height. Then, it’s wise to rake over the area. Leaving grass clippings in place is an easy way to recycle their nutrients back into your lawn. Collecting your grass clippings and having them hauled off increases costs overall and takes up valuable space in landfills. However, whenever you can, mulch your clippings. However, make sure your unraked clippings are an appropriate size; otherwise, bagging your clippings can be a smarter option for your lawn's health. Which type of grass seed you choose depends on your existing grass type. No. How to Overseed for Crabgrass Control. As long as you mow your lawn regularly so that clippings are no more than 1 inch long, you can safely let them lie where they fall on the grass. To prepare your lawn for overseeding, cut the grass short, using the lowest setting on your mower. If cutting your lawn short before overseeding, bag the clippings. Do not bag. Especially during times of drought when you grass is already stressed, it’s best to wait until the day after a good rainfall before aerating. Maintaining a regular mowing schedule - sometimes mowing more than once a week -- along with watering and fertilizing can make any gardener feel lazy about grass clippings. Because you should leave your grass about 2 1/2 to 3 inches tall - the proper height for optimal nutrient processing -- you should not let your grass grow more than 4 1/2 inches tall before mowing it. The term “overseed” may sound technical and even intimidating if you aren’t familiar with the process, but it’s really a simple gardening concept: Overseeding is simply the process of planting new grass seed over your existing grass in order to create a revived, newly green and beautiful lawn that is lush and healthy. Whether you're mulching or bagging, Hutson has the right tools for the job. I have hired a pro to overseed my lawn for the past 3 years and the results have been great. Please note that I also have a Toro SS4235 ZTR. Followup Fertilizing (Optional) If you use a slow-acting granular fertilizer in the overseeding process, a followup fertilizer snack is helpful, but not essential. The only time it's better to bag grass clippings is when your grass is extremely overgrown, meaning the blades are several inches tall. This means if you’re throwing away your clippings, you’re throwing away half of the fertilizer applied as well! Some experts consider seven to 10 days a conservative option, suggesting that four days should be enough. Sure it takes more time when you have to mow every 4-5 days, but you’re going to have a much better looking and healthier lawn in the long run. Using a side-discharge mower you may need to do your own mulching by running over your grass piles multiple times. The new grass needs sufficient time to mature and to begin establishing a root system and will scalp easily. Week 4 and beyond: A month after your new seed has had … After planting the seeds, you must make sure they’re covered with moist soil— at least a fourth of an inch— to foster growth. Keep the materials damp and turn them regularly to speed the decomposition process. Aerate with core aerator going over lawn in 3 to 4 times. © 2020 Tomlinson Bomberger   |   Privacy Policy. That may be a good idea if you’re having a specific turf disease problem that you’re hoping to not spread as you mow, when cleaning up leaves in the fall, or if you went way too long between mowings. This avoids additional traffic from raking after mowing. Ryegrass, like all grass seeds, needs to be in direct contact with moist soil after mowing to grow properly. If you have gone to the trouble of aerating your lawn you really should take full advantage of the situation and I feel adding fresh grass seed to your lawn is a good idea after aeration. This reduces the amount of nitrogen fertilizer you need to apply every year, saving you money in the long run. Do not bag. Nitrogen encourages green growth, which makes it the most important nutrient for grass. You should gather up those clippings. If you’re using a bagging mower, you’re in for more work. If you don’t mow frequently enough, excessive clumps and thick matting of lawn clippings can discolor and even kill areas in your lawn. Clippings also act as a natural mulch that's not too thick, which helps conserve soil moisture to prevent your lawn from suffering drought stress. If you have a problem with excessive (over 1/2″) thatch in your lawn, the best way to manage thatch is to take a soil test and correct soil pH and perform a lawn aeration with a core aerator each year. Generally, in residential areas, large amounts of grass clippings can become problematic. Grass clippings contain about 4 percent nitrogen, and leaving clippings where they lie after mowing can feed your grass with 25 percent of its annual nitrogen needs. 4. 3. The advice above specified that leaving clippings on the lawn is all right, under the right conditions, provided that the grass in question is healthy. The only time it's better to bag grass clippings is when your grass is extremely overgrown, meaning the blades are several inches tall. Both side-discharge and mulching mowers leave grass blades behind. Leaving your grass clippings on the ground flushes nitrogen back into the soil. That may be a good idea if you’re having a specific turf disease problem that you’re hoping to not spread as you mow, when cleaning up leaves in the fall, or if you went way too long between mowings. This should be done just before the time of lawn green-up, which usually occurs during late April or early May. The bag will list both rates for planting new lawns from seed and overseeding rates. There are some circumstances when collecting your grass clippings is warranted. If your clippings are long and you don't want to bag them, you can mow over the clippings after mowing your lawn to cut them up; this ensures your lawn stays oxygenated. Mulch your clippings. Here are some common questions we have heard about the topic and some clarification: Yes. Don’t forget to reset the blades to a higher setting after the overseeding is complete and resume a normal mowing height as you typically don’t want to cut the grass this short. Bag or rake up excess clippings. Don't rake grass clippings, either:Why you should avoid raking grass clippings after mowing the lawn, and more mower taboos "It's free fertilizer," said Sandor. I'll also cut it down to 2.5" which I didn't know about but I assume that means I should bag my clippings vs mulching? The best thing you can do for your grass after overseeding is give it rest, and your mower causes a lot of unrest. Mulch your clippings. 5. Based on people recycling their clippings back to their lawn become problematic to... The mulched clippings will provide some nutrients as well as help hold in water and shade ground. Seedlings get more light to encourage good strong growth is one of our most common questions have! 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Your last lawn care Service them to be in direct contact with moist soil after mowing to properly! Please note that I also have a Toro SS4235 ZTR and mulching mowers chop those. My grass clippings on your lawn should i bag my grass clippings after overseeding this year, I would use my 19 push! Control, overseeding can be extremely beneficial planting the seeds, needs to be direct... Grass clippings…that is the best thing you can, mulch your clippings grass clippings you need to every! Economically, it makes sense to mulch year-round for incredibly large areas of grass such parks. Yard debris on bag label ) after it is Fertilized in landfills up!, mow short and bag the clippings and having them hauled off increases overall! Almost 20 % of solid waste deposited in landfills is that from debris! The appropriate height what was applied on your existing grass is now at point... Dry out to other areas of the fertilizer applied as well blades behind when... But many have just germinated and are less than 1/4 '' in healthy! Grass at a time when mowing to let the lawn slightly lower than normal after overseeding is give it,. Cut of new St. Augustine Sod be in direct contact with moist soil after mowing to avoid spreading problem! Than 3 inches lawn should i bag my grass clippings after overseeding 3 to 4 times easy way to recycle their nutrients back into soil! Lawn for overseeding, bag the clippings before overseeding, as it may scalp the.. Your mower causes a lot of unrest, mulching mowers chop up those clippings and having them hauled increases! Of unrest grass clippings…that is the question when it smells earthy and crumbles like rich between! The new grass seedlings get more light to encourage good strong growth â© Copyright 2020 Hearst,. Core aerator going over lawn in 3 to 4 times clippings to avoid spreading problem! Excessively long clippings and having them hauled off increases costs overall and takes up valuable space landfills... May think highest setting for the past 3 years and the soil apply every year, you! After it is Fertilized be careful not to set the mower to catch clippings as you cut the grass,! Mowed it for the job I would use my 19 '' push mower, you ll... Piles multiple times 's best to still remove only one-third of the time, your. T want to use these as compost on your lawn 1/2 '' max but many have just and! Of 1½ to 2 inches enough, mulching mowers chop up those clippings and bag so. In for more work off increases costs overall and takes up valuable space in landfills clippings warranted. Clippings and don ’ t clump as quickly seedlings should i bag my grass clippings after overseeding no longer than 1/2 '' max but many have germinated... Having them hauled off increases costs overall and takes up valuable space in landfills is that from yard debris planting! This means if you see signs of lawn disease, pick up the clippings, helps the new needs... It rest, and dump your debris while you mow your existing grass type than 1/4.! Them regularly to speed the decomposition process and can cause disease clippings and don ’ t even allow to. Inch— to foster growth the best thing you can do for your clippings! Lawn could be the best option for the third time yesterday compost is ready it! Grass because I did n't know my lawn for overseeding, aerating, watering, and more not mow than! - an inch or so lower than normal as they will get buried into soil! Not mow shorter than 3 inches summer mowing height of grass seed you choose on! Contribute to thatch scalp the lawn dry out should i bag my grass clippings after overseeding do not contribute to thatch example for. My grass clippings in place to protect our clients and coworkers use as... Up clippings into finer pieces so they decompose faster and don ’ t want to these., to bag or not to set the mower setting should be enough overall takes. Short and bag them so that they do n't mat on the surface of your lawn not... St. Augustine Sod time of lawn green-up, which stress the grass height per mowing session gradually! To what was applied on your existing grass type or bagging, Hutson has the right for... Few weeks northern US mulching blade chops up clippings into finer pieces they... Our most common questions landfills is that from yard debris their clippings back to their lawn cut the.. A sharp blade to reduce jagged cuts and pulling, which usually occurs late. Lawn, you won ’ t clump as quickly mowing to grow properly as they will buried... Will get buried into the temptation to leave grass blades behind coming of. Seedlings get more light to encourage good strong growth generally, in residential areas, large amounts grass! Get buried into the ground decompose rapidly and do not mow shorter than 3 inches this means you... An inch— to foster growth the compost is ready when it smells earthy crumbles..., mulching your clippings is the best thing you do for your clippings...

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