Grass clippings

ACKBill · May 4, 2006

Ralph:

The reason to collect clippings would be that in some cases, they can build-up faster than they can decompose. When they build up, they can form a very effective barrier to water, light and sometimes oxygen, that smothers the grass underneath. It depends on the individual soil conditions and things like how long the grass is (how much of the leaf blade is being removed). Sometimes it's a good idea to pick up the clippings and sometimes it's a good idea to let them stay on the lawn so that they can return the nutrients to the soil.

BILL

BlueRidge · May 4, 2006

No, no, no, Bill. It's ALWAYS bad to pick up the clippings.

OR, it's ALWAYS good to pick up the clippings.

Depending on which propaganda you've bought into.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RollTideRam · May 4, 2006

In my yard, It mainly clumps up on the field lines. But I mow at the place my wife works, and they want it look decent since they are on the highway. I don't think they want to pay me to mow every 4 days, since we are getting so much rain lately. I might try a pine straw rake I read about a few months ago on here. JC

HGM · May 5, 2006

( If you can take the time out to do it again, and weather permitting, that's an option. Not to mention you could also potentially have the grass you just remowed a little shorter than what you previously mowed. IMHO, do it right the first time, and get the clumps up. I'll either sweep it right after, or depending on how thick the cuttings are, wait a day to let the cuttings dry out so the sweeper can pick them up easier. It all boils down to how good you want your yard to look. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

Apparently, not everyone has the same experience... I was a firm believer in the least amount of yard work the better.. I would just mow and leave the clipings as mulch... Last year, with rain every other day, the grass grew much faster than I could mow it.. Whe I got to it, it would leave clumps and kill the grass.. Large brown stripes in the yard look just as bad as 2' tall grass.. So, I bought a sweeper and let( /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) my kid tow it behind his 4 wheeler when I'm done cutting.. This way I havent changed anything I do and it looks good.. Now, it doesnt need to be done all the time, but I have it when it does.. Good investment for $200, well worth it for me here..

RalphVa · May 5, 2006

Well, I had a sweeper once, a used one that I got cheap. Had a piss-ant-sized lawn between the house and pool that I used to sweep a bit until the sweeper packed up. Even bought a lawn mower that came with a bagger. Tried the bagger for one round before thinking that people that did this are absolutely crazy. The church where I did the 4 to 5 acres once had a Sears tractor with MMM connected to a chute that went to another motor mounted behind the seat. This motor discharged stuff into a covered trailer behind the tractor. Used this thing for a couple rounds before thinking that anyone who used this was nuts, too. Had them allow me to buy a Scag ZTR and just used it to smash up the leaves after that. NEVER, NO NEVER collected grass. Yeah, it'd windrow some. Not long after it turned brown, the grass underneath would poke through and start hiding it. No one ever complained, mainly because if they did they'd likely get the job to do themselves.

We never had grass die due to excessive dead grass clumps, NEVER. It's an absolute myth. If you collect grass and don't use that poisonous Weed & Feed, call me up. I'll come get it. Maybe it'll keep you healthy by raking or sweeping the grass; won't do much for your grass other than require more fertilizer than if you don't rake or sweep.

We in the master gardening whelm do not advocate grass collection. We only collect leaves from silly other people that throw them away.

Ralph

Woody71 · May 5, 2006

Mulching is definitely the way to go. I have used a JD LT155 with the Freedom42 dedicated mulching deck for 6 years and have never had any clumping problems. The clippings gets ground up so fine that they dissapear into the standing grass.

There are mulching kits available from JD for the X series mower decks that consist of a plastic plug and special wavy mulching blades. The plug recirculates the clippings so they are cut several times and not blown out. They eventually fall down into the cut grass quite evenly. Since they are so small, they decompose faster.

Woody

jdgreg · May 5, 2006

( We never had grass die due to excessive dead grass clumps, NEVER. It's an absolute myth. )

Respectfully, maybe it doesnt completely die, but it dang sure turns brown and looks dead for several weeks. Next time, I'll post a pic. Could be due to different temps, climes, even different grasses. Dont know, and really dont care. Just know what works on my yard, and what doesnt. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HGM · May 5, 2006

( We never had grass die due to excessive dead grass clumps, NEVER. It's an absolute myth.
Ralph )

Pretty broad statement there...... I, on the other hand, while agreeing that its not always needed, will whole heartedly disagree with you on the myth statement.. Here in Georgia, with the weeks of back to back rain and grass being extremely long(maybe 8-10") by the time you get to cut it, it most certainly can clump into large piles that will, most certainly kill(or brown) the grass very quickly.. In order to keep up with it, unless you have mostly dirt for a yard, you need to do something about the clumps for 2-3mo per year when its a heavy rain season.. I never had to deal with it untill last year either, so maybe it was a rarity /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif..But it needed it....

BTW, I would never make a statement that its totaly impossible for someone elses grass to require something mine doesnt.. But maybe thats just me... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

chopprjok · May 5, 2006

Roll-Tide,

You should be able to attach your current sweeper to your new unit. My father-in-law has a Craftsman 42" that I attach to my 4110, when the clippings overtake my yard and I am worried about the brown streaks caused by windrows. I just hook it to my draw bar and it does a great job. We usually let it dry and then burn it. I then spread the ashes over the yard.

RalphVA

I am not an avid sweeper of the yard, but I respect the fact that some people want their yard to look immaculate. So don't criticize others for what they enjoy. I personnally enjoy anything that gets me seat time on the 4110. I have found it to be the best form of relaxation for me. You were right on both your statements. 1.) It is extra work for me, that I personnally enjoy. 2.) It is healthier to be in the yard doing anything, than sitting on the couch with a beer and a remote control.

Nothing runs like a Deere.

chop