What to do with grass cuttings?

Question

I do not want to compost them as we have a compst bin and the cuttings would swap it.

I do not really want to leave on the grass lawn as the kids drag it into house! But open to persuasion!

Wonder if it is good to put on flower beds? Or does it just lead to grass weeds?

I'm thinking of collecting clippings up to end of October/season and then putting clipppings under a weed screen sheet, in a flower bed (will this improve the soil? does the grass heat up as it lies there? does this help plants over eary winter? Just a theory!)

And finally, putting the rest into a nearby flower bed that has poor soil. Does this improve the soil?

Suggestions welcomed!

Answer 1

They say leave the cuttings on the ground as it replenishes the soil.
It will I guess also fertilize where ever you put it but then again you may wind up with grass in your flowerbeds, since it will cultivate them.

Answer 2

What do you mean by "the cuttings would swap it" referring to your compost bin?

If you mean you have more grass clippings than the bin can physically handle, obviously you need a larger compost bin.

If you mean you are concerned about the grass cuttings will root in the compost pile, obviously your compost isn't "cooking" and you need to check what you are doing wrong. A properly set up compost bin will be hot at it's core if it is set up properly & cooking. A hot bin will easily kill any grass cuttings.

I used to use our excess grass clippings as mulch around my elephant ear plants. I would dig the mulch into the soil in the fall & winter. It did loosen up the soil greatly.

Answer 3

with grass cuttings I put some in the compost bin mixed with straw and wood shavings out of the rabbit hutch, however if you can't acquire such materials mix lightly with things like cabbage leave etc, and mix in compost maker. remember you should turn the compost from time to time to let some air in. I certainly wouldn't leave the clippings on the lawn as they will clog up the lawn and cause more problems and bugs like the daddy long legs or crane fly grubs, which will eat the grass roots.Making a stock pile of grass clippings will probably turn into a smelly gooey mess the decision is yours

Answer 4

I used to put it inbetween the rows in my garden, very thickly, and around the plants, it helped the soil stay moist cool, and I could walk out there without getting dirt or mud on my shoes, especially after the rain, I will say to use plant food because green cuttings will deplete some nitrogen from the soil, temporarily. hey, I used to have a beautiful garden and fine tomatoes, other vegetables and flowers! I used to put the clippings over the weed screen, that is when I used the screen. if you keep your grass cut, there are no seeds in it to cause weeds, keep your lawn weed free. Don't put it around plants if you use poision on your lawn.

Answer 5

You simply need to make another compost bin for the grass clippings. Composting also helps kill the weed seed collected during the mowing and bagging. I can tell you this when my bagging mower was not working and I used one without a bag my lawn developed lots of weeds. Once I repaired the bagging mower and went back to bagging and composting weeds began to disappear from the lawn. Bag and compost the clippings!

Answer 6

you should at least let the grass clipping stay on the grass once a month to promote healthy grass growing... as for the flower bed no way... the grass clippings have grass seeds and you will get grass growing in the flower beds. if you don't use it bag it and leave it for the waste pick up they will compost it for you..

Answer 7

Our community has a vegetation bin pick up once a month. Only plant matter goes into this bin and is dumped in one big place. It would be hard to compost everything from one suburban property. Maybe your council/government could start a vegie pick up so that it is clean fill ...separate from garbage and reduces the land fill with garbage.

Answer 8

Soil needs organic material in order to be stable, I would compose them for your flower bed or for a garden. I would save it for your flower garden also if you have poor soil use liquid phosphorus this will increase your chance of better soil.

Answer 9

Put them about four to six inches deep in your flower beds or between the rows in your garden to stop weeds from growing.
They disappear quickly and will be next year's fertilizer.

Answer 10

when we had a lawn we use to collect the clippings. and spread them under bushes and trees . also i have put clippings around rose bushes without any problems