Mulching Lawn Mowers
Mulching lawn mowers are increasing in popularity as our populations
become more environmentally aware although it isn't just the environmental
benefits of this special type of lawn mower that is making them
popular.
What makes a mulching lawn mower different from a standard lawn
mower?
Standard lawn mowers often collect the grass clippings in a box
or bag that attaches to the lawn mower. The collected grass is then
normally either disposed of on the compost heap or dumped in a dustbin
that will be taken to a landfill site. Mulching lawn mowers cut
the grass a number of times into very fine pieces. These clippings
(that are much smaller in size than normal) are then returned into
the turf.
Benefits of a mulching mower
Free organic lawn fertiliser
Powered mulching mowers blow the fine grass clippings deep into
the turf with a uniform distribution rather than depositing them
in clumps. Because the grass has been cut very finely it decomposes
rapidly and as it decomposes Nitrogen is released. Nitrogen is an
essential nutrient for lawns as it is required for green leaf growth.
A lawn that suffers from a lack of available Nitrogen is more susceptible
to lawn disease and environmental
stresses. Using a mulching lawn mower therefore gives us an organic
form of lawn fertiliser that is free. The other key benefit of this
free lawn fertiliser is that it is naturally applied whilst we are
carrying out another lawn care task - mowing.
Non mulching lawn mowers with no bag / box attachment can also
return the grass clippings to the turf but they aren't cut up finely
and remain on the surface of the turf as well as tending to be deposited
in 'clumps'. This means that they decompose slowly and prevent sunlight
from reaching the grass.
No need to rake the lawn
Raking the lawn after mowing can more than double the length of
time it takes to mow the lawn and some can find the job of raking
quite tiring. With a mulching lawn mower this job is no longer necessary
after each cut.
Environmentally friendly
Many lawn owners still send their lawn clippings to the land fill
site / to the local tip. With a mulching lawn mower we are taking
the most direct route to recycling possible and saving landfill space
for waste that is not recyclable.
Mulching mowers require a bit more power than normal lawn mowers
as they must repeatedly cut the grass to ensure it is in small enough
pieces to be able to decompose rapidly.
If using a mulching lawn mower then make sure to mow the lawn regularly
before it gets overgrown as the mower will find it hard work with
all the extra cutting it has to do to create a finer cut. If the
lawn is overgrown then mow it twice, once at a high setting, reduce
the lawn mower blade height and then mow again. Slowing down will
also help when mowing overgrown areas.
When would you want to not use a mulching lawn mower? Some gardeners
like to use their grass clippings to make garden compost that they
can then use as a fertilser around the garden be it in pots, beds
or vegetable patches. If this is the case then a mower with a box
or bag attachment is best suited.
Some lawn owners prefer not to use mulching lawn mowers as they
believe that they contribute to the build up of thatch that will
need removing by a scarifier or vigourous raking. However because
the mulched grass decomposes rapidly the build up of thatch is not
nearly as severe as may be expected.