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No, mulching with grass clippings and leaves do not cause thatch build-up. Thatch is the layer of loose organic matter between the grass and the soil. This can be a combination of dead, overgrown or exposed roots and grass blades. Thatch is something that naturally builds up over time, especially from underneath the lawn’s surface. Mulch, on the other hand, is added to the top of the lawn. Using grass clippings or raked leaves is the perfect way to mulch and avoid thatch build-up. Because these clippings are mostly water, they decompose relatively quickly, delivering nutrients, rather than building up thatch.
Pro Tip: Wait until the leaves are dry before raking them up. Wet leaves can be difficult to manage.
In short, yes, mulching nourishes your lawn. It is extremely valuable to your lawn care regimen and provides numerous nutrients to the soil. Essentially, mulching returns about 25% of your lawn’s yearly nutritional needs. Since your lawn obtains very similar nutrients from mulching as it does from fertilizer treatments, mulching can help you cut back on fertilizing throughout the year.
In addition to nourishing your lawn, mulching is also extremely time-saving and cost-effective. Dealing with lawn clippings can often be a pain and a very extensive process. Mowing, sorting lawn clippings into bags, having to dispose and tending to the grass collection bag over and over again takes a lot of time out of your day[CJ1] . Returning clippings to the lawn also saves valuable landfill space. Cutting that process in half and providing your lawn with added nutrients sounds like a win-win to us! Let us be your guide on how to become an expert mulcher.
In just a few steps, you can save both time and money by learning how to correctly mulch your lawn. It is important to not get rid of healthy grass, but rather target the dead areas to bring them back to life. All you will need to find success is a mulching mower or a mulching kit for your mower and a rake.
Your grass clippings could also be used as mulch in flower beds or added to compost. Regardless of how you decide to use them, it is never a bad idea to keep your lawn clippings around!
After an intense winter, your lawn is probably looking less than ideal. In order to get it back up to par, raking your grass is definitely something to consider in order. This both encourages healthy growth and prevents new dead areas from forming. Knowing the correct time to rake any brown or matted spots can ensure that you have a full, green lawn for the warmer months ahead. For the healthiest lawn, the best time to rake is typically in mid-February, or when you notice your lawn turning green again. This exact timeframe may vary by your location and the climate you are in. By doing it around this general time, you can clearly see and target the areas that are unhealthy. If you choose to rake earlier in the year, it is difficult to know what areas are actually dead, since it’s likely that all grass, both healthy and unhealthy, is still brown.
Whether you’ve decided to mulch your lawn or take the old-school approach and rake it, TruGreen PhD-certified specialists can provide guidance and services backed by our Healthy Lawn Guarantee®.
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