Use grass clippings to improve the garden
The benefits of using fresh grass clippings in gardening and beds are many. Virtually all plants that thrive on nitrogen appreciate grass clippings. Plus, it's free and much easier to handle than heavy bags of fertilizer. But how should you use the grass clippings?
The short answer is to layer fresh grass clippings around the plants. A 10 cm lightly packed layer is usually sufficient, and it should ideally be applied within a day after mowing the grass. If one round of mowing is not enough to cover the entire surface, you can cover it little by little with 10 cm each time you mow. A thick layer dries slower and provides maximum nutrients to the plants. It's better to cover parts of the surface with 10 cm than to spread the grass clippings thinly over the entire surface.
TIPS! Grass clippings are particularly useful when growing in sand, which doesn't contain nutrients itself. The grass clippings provide nutrients to the plants and build up humus in the soil.
Advantages of lawn mowing
- Fertilizer
Grass clippings provide a lot of nutrients and are rich in nitrogen. It is therefore suitable for all plants that thrive on nitrogen.
- Improved soil structure
When earthworms pull the grasses down into the soil and microorganisms and insects break down the grass, the soil structure improves. The soil becomes more rich in humus and can hold on to oxygen, nutrients, and water better - everything plants need, in other words.
- Water conservation
Grass clippings help the soil retain moisture longer, allowing you to water less - perfect for a dry summer with watering bans or restrictions.
- Less weeding
If the layer of grass clippings is thick enough, it becomes more difficult for weed seeds to come through, reducing the need for weeding.
How often should you fill up with lawn clippings?
Most plants benefit from a couple of layers per year, but there are exceptions.
Trees and shrubs can be covered with grass clippings for the first three years, but after this, they may benefit from a couple of years of rest.
Perennials and summer flowers do not need more than a layer each year or every other year.
Nutrient-demanding vegetables can be given a layer of grass clippings in two rounds with a month apart. This applies, for example, to cabbage plants, spinach, and Swiss chard. Potatoes can also be given grass clippings, but do not place it too close to the potato plants - if it is too close, it can become too moist, which increases the risk of blight.
TIPS! Mulching is described as the shortcut to new life in the soil. In this method, grass clippings play a very important role.
Seedlings
Freshly planted plants are often a bit sensitive. Place the grass clippings a little away from the plant, so it does not get damaged by the heat generated when the grass breaks down. For example, you can lay the grass in rows between the newly planted plants. Larger plants can tolerate more, but make sure the plants stick out of the grass and are not covered by it.
Weed seeds
There may be some weed seeds in the grass clippings, but it's rarely a big problem. If a small weed plant should appear, just remove it.
Snails
If you have problems with slugs hiding under the lawn, you can try to apply slug control with ferramol under the lawn. This is not toxic to other animals or humans, but very effective against slugs.
Gather up grass clippings
Always gather the grass clippings while they are fresh, preferably within a day after you have mowed the lawn - then it provides the most nutrients. A lawnmower with a collector is of course very helpful, it makes it very easy to gather larger amounts of grass clippings. If you do not have enough grass clippings yourself, you can also ask neighbors and friends if you can have some of theirs. If you have too much grass clippings instead, you can try to make your own soil and compost from grass clippings.
Swedish garden inspirer, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation and animals, such as "Soil", "Grow for insects" and "Chickens as a hobby".
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