Go Bagless! How to Grasscycle

Going Bagless or grasscycling means simply removing the bag from your mower and leaving the clippings on the lawn while mowing your grass. It is best practice to maintain a healthy lawn while saving yourself the time and effort required to bag the clippings.

Here’s how

Simply leave the grass clippings on your lawn as you mow. As they break down, they will provide water and nutrients to your lawn. Take the bag off the mower and raise the height of your mower to medium to high range (on most mowers).

• Mow high: only cut off the top 1/3 of the grass blades. Mow to the height of your pinky, or 6-8 cm (2.5-3 inches)
• Mow often: about every 4 to 5 days during heavy growth season. When growth is slower (late summer and fall, or during a dry year), cutting once per week or less will suffice
• Mow when grass is dry: if grass is too long after prolonged wet weather, start with a higher cut and gradually lower it during successive cuttings
• Clumping may result from cutting wet grass or making too long a cut. Mowing the area again from a different direction will help dissipate the clump
• A sharp blade makes for a sharp looking lawn. Grass recovers more quickly when cut cleanly. There are many service locations across the city

Helpful Lawn Care Tips

Going bagless is only one part of maintaining a healthy lawn.

• Rake the lawn during spring yard cleanup to remove dead thatch
• Aerate the lawn periodically to allow nutrients, air and water to reach the grass roots
• Adequately water the lawn. Single deep waterings (25 mm once every 7-10 days ) are more effective and less wasteful than many light waterings

For More Information

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	wasteman@edmonton.ca