Q&A - Can I use fresh grass clippings in my garden?
Question:
A few weeks ago you all said not to put green grass clippings in the garden for mulch--wait for it to dry because fresh clippings would take the nitrogen OUT of the soil. I thought that the reason you "mulched" grass as you cut it was to PUT nitrogen from the clippings INTO the ground for the lawn. Does using fresh grass clippings take nitrogen out of the soil? Which is correct?
Answer:
Fresh grass clippings are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium so as they decay they add these nutrients to the soil. Making a pile of fresh grass clippings is what you want to avoid. A pile of grass clippings prevents water from getting into the soil, blocks air circulation and it will stink. A thin layer is all you want to use. Just don’t pile it up, it isn’t mulch.
Related Resources:
Lawn clipping management
Mulch
A few weeks ago you all said not to put green grass clippings in the garden for mulch--wait for it to dry because fresh clippings would take the nitrogen OUT of the soil. I thought that the reason you "mulched" grass as you cut it was to PUT nitrogen from the clippings INTO the ground for the lawn. Does using fresh grass clippings take nitrogen out of the soil? Which is correct?
Answer:
Fresh grass clippings are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium so as they decay they add these nutrients to the soil. Making a pile of fresh grass clippings is what you want to avoid. A pile of grass clippings prevents water from getting into the soil, blocks air circulation and it will stink. A thin layer is all you want to use. Just don’t pile it up, it isn’t mulch.
Related Resources:
Lawn clipping management
Mulch