What do you do with your grass clippings? Do you bag them? Do you let them blow back on the lawn? Do you blow them back on the lawn in rows that you rake up and bag? I would like to discuss a way to improve the quality of your lawn and the environment. It is called grasscycling. Grasscycling is the process of returning grass clippings to the lawn. Grasscycling is an ecologically and financially sound program for your lawn that you should be using and I am about to tell you why.

I am sure everyone is aware that North Carolina state law prohibits yard waste, including grass clippings, from being discarded in landfills. As a result, many landfills are now grinding up yard waste and making it available as mulch or compost. Yard waste can account for 20% of solid waste. Guess what, up to 50% of that is grass clippings. Even though a recycling program which includes grass clippings is now under way, there is no need to send you grass clippings away for someone else to use.

Grass clippings can generate up to 25% or a lawn's yearly fertilizer needs. So by grasscycling, you can reduce the amount of time and money spent on fertilizing and bagging. As a matter of fact, lawns will stay greener and healthier when clippings are left on.

Isn't it a fact that grass clippings cause thatch? That is a question I am often asked. The answer is NO! If mowing is done properly, clippings will not cause thatch buildup. Thatch is caused by excessive growth from overfertilizing, by allowing grass to get too high before mowing, or by incorrect watering.

Grass clippings are 75% to 85% water. When you mow regularly, clippings decompose quickly and release nutrients to fertilize the lawn. By following the guidelines listed in this article, you will no longer need to bag clippings. In addition, your lawn will grow at an acceptable rate, retain green color, and develop a deeper root system.

It is important to use a mower that is in good working condition. Sharp blades are very important in order to cut grass leaves instead of shredding them. Mulching blades may also help by cutting clippings into finer pieces. First of all we should mow grass at the appropriate height. Mow bermuda and centipede at about 1 to 1.5 inches. Mow St. Augustine to 3 to 4 inches, zoysia to .75 to 1.5 inches, and tall fescue to 3 to 4 inches. Mowing with sharp blades reduces ragged appearance and increases disease problems. Mowing the lawn when grass is dry will allow better distribution of clippings and less chance of clogging the mower. The most important thing you can do for your lawn is to mow regularly and never remove more than 1/3 of the growth at one time. So if you plan on mowing your lawn to 1 inch then it should be done when the lawn reaches 1.5 inches.

Watering is also an important step in grass cycling. Poor watering practices can throw off the program. You can save both water and money by watering in the morning. The least amount of water will be lost to evaporation at this time. Early morning watering also reduces disease problems and poor water distribution because of wind. If you have sandy soils, apply .5 inch of water when irrigating. Lawns on heavy soils should receive 1 inch. Measure irrigation by placing a couple of cans on the lawn to catch the water. Improve the lawns stress tolerance by watering only when you see first signs of wilt. Of course avoid overwatering to prevent disease and excessive growth.

The last step in proper lawn maintenance grasscycling is fertilizing. The first step in fertilization is to have your soil tested. Soil testing will tell you if pH, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients are balanced. However, nitrogen is applied based on a schedule. Fertilize bermuda with 1 pound of actual nitrogen twice between May and August. Centipede only needs .5 pound of nitrogen in June. St. Augustine likes .5 pound of nitrogen in May, June, July, and August. Fertilize zoysia with .5 pound of nitrogen in April, July, and August. In order to prevent over fertilization, follow the directions on the fertilizer label. The last step in fertilization is to apply fertilizer when grass is dry. This prevents foliage from being burned and allows fertilizer to fall around the plants where it can be watered in.

If after reading this you still don't want to leave grass clippings on your lawn, consider composting them. Questions about grasscycling or other gardening topics can be answered by calling the Pitt County Master Gardeners at 757-2801 Extension 40. Volunteers staff the hotline from 10 am and noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.