Myths Busted! Ask Our Experts
Dispelling Common Myths about Grasscycling
Myth 1: Going bagless causes thatch
- Thatch is the accumulation of organic debris that are most resistant to decay, such as dead leaves, grass roots, stems, crowns found between the soil and the living green parts of your grass
- Although you'll find some grass clippings in the thatch layer, they usually don't contribute to thatch build up because soil microorganisms easily break them down
- Samples taken from test lawns during an Edmonton pilot showed that proper grasscycling does not contribute to thatch growth
- Thatch is composed mainly of roots. Over-watering and over-fertilizing are the primary causes of thatch as they encourage excessive root growth
- Grass clippings are approximately 80-85% water, allowing them to break down rapidly
Myth 2: Going bagless looks unattractive / untidy
- When cut properly (leaving grass to a height of 6-8 cm and only cutting off the top 1/3 of the blade) clippings fall between the blades and are virtually unnoticeable
- Grass clippings disappear within 3 days after cutting. Grass clippings are approximately 80-85% water, allowing them to decompose rapidly. It will take slightly longer for clippings to break down later in the growing season as temperatures and moisture content of clippings drop. Mowing over the clippings one more time will help them break down quicker
- Clumping may result from cutting wet grass or cutting more than the top 1/3 of the blade. Mowing the area again from a different direction will help dissipate the clump
Myth 3: Going bagless spreads lawn disease
- No. Watering, fertilization and mower blade sharpness have much more influence on the occurrence of lawn disease than going bagless
- Leaving clippings on the lawn provides a healthy, lush lawn that can help prevent against lawn disease and weed growth
- The grass clippings quickly decompose, naturally fertilizing your lawn with nutrients after each mow
- Adequately water the lawn. Single deep waterings (25 mm once every 7-10 days) are more effective and less wasteful than many light waterings
Myth 4: I need to mow more often
- Yes, but cutting more than a 1/3 of the grass blade shocks the plant, causing it to grow faster to make up the difference in length quickly. Cutting only 1/3 of the blade lets the grass grow slower
- Leaving the clippings on your lawn means no more bagging and dragging 50-60 bags of grass to the curb each year
- By Going Bagless for one summer, you can save up to a full day of your time
Myth 5: I need a mulching mower to go bagless
- No. Any lawn mower, including push mowers, will do as long as you cut high
- Simply remove the bag from your mower and raise the blades to the medium-high setting
- Keeping the mower blade sharp means grass will recover quickly when cut cleanly
Myth 6: I have to go bagless every time
- You can't always go bagless. Prolonged wet weather or an infrequent mowing routine are situations where grass clippings should probably be bagged since you'll have large volumes of clippings
- It's OK to go bagless most of the time. It doesn't need to be every time you mow. If you do need to bag your grass occasionally, please keep bags under 20kg.Keep your grass clippings! They're an excellent addition to a backyard compost pile. They can also be used as mulch to provide weed control and prevent moisture loss around flowerbeds, trees and shrubs
Myth 7: Going bagless spreads dandelions
- Dandelions will not spread more when you Go Bagless. The same amount of dandelion seeds are dispersed when bagging compared to leaving clippings on the lawn. This is because seeds are dispersed as soon as the blade cuts the grass regardless of there being a bag present or not.
- Going Bagless can help prevent and reduce dandelions because it results in a fuller, healthier and nutrient rich lawn, which leaves less room for dandelions to germinate and grow.
- Mowing high (cutting to a height of 6-8 cm or the height of your pinky) helps to choke out weeds because it prevents sunlight from allowing weed seeds to germinate. A low cut lawn is more susceptible to dandelions.
- Mowing often actually prevents dandelions from seeding and spreading.
Expert Opinions on Grasscycling
Turf experts, gardening experts and composting experts all agree, Grasscycling works! Don't just take our word for it, hear from them.
Go Bagless Questions
For More Information
| Telephone | In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
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Go Bagless Videos
See how and why to Go Bagless!
Get some Go Bagless tips from these creative grasscycling videos.
