8 hours Ago By Katherine McPhillips
Keeping your lawn well fed is one of the most important gardening jobs in April as the roots and grass are just starting to grow again after a long winter. This means the soil is likely depleted of nitrogen, which is the nutrient responsible for storing energy and helps the lawn come back in spring greener and healthier. However, giving lawns the nitrogen boost it needs to grow does not need to be a chore, as the experts at Lawn Doctor are urging gardeners to leave grass clippings on top of their lawns.
They said: “When you leave the clippings on your lawn, they decompose over time and release these nutrients back into the soil, providing a natural source of fertilizer for your lawn.” Grass clippings are rich in nitrogen and are a natural way to slowly release the nutrient into the soil to give lawns the boost they need. Not only do grass clippings help the grass grow but they retain water, which keeps soil moist and the lawn hydrated during the warm weather so it does not need to be watered as often.
It can also help create a natural mulch that will suppress weeds which will greatly improve the appearance of your lawn without any effort. The expert said: “Leaving grass clippings on your lawn can save you time and effort. Instead of spending time bagging and disposing of the clippings, you can simply leave them on your lawn and let nature take its course.
” However, too much of a good thing can be harmful in excess and it is important to know that grass clippings will only benefit lawns that are regularly mowed. The expert said: “If your lawn is overgrown, leaving the clippings on the lawn can create clumps that can smother the grass and prevent it from receiving the necessary sunlight, air, and water.” Grass clippings are a natural way to feed lawns but if the lawn is not being cut then it will simply become tangled up in the grass and leak too much moisture into the ground.
Too much moisture will make the lawn waterlogged to create the perfect environment for moss, fungal diseases and pests to make their way into the grass. When mowing, always make sure to remove a third of the blade length as cutting the grass at the right height helps it stay healthy and avoid moisture buildup. Mowers which can cut grass into small pieces will help the clippings decompose faster so use a push or mulching mower with a sharp blade if you can.
Do not mow on wet grass as this can create clumps, and only add the grass clippings on a sunny, dry day. Make sure the grass clippings are evenly spread after you have mowed the lawn by raking them or blowing them around with a leaf blower. Taking the time to distribute clippings properly is a simple and cheap way to boost your lawn in spring so you can look forward to emerald green grass once summer arrives.
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