I’m always looking for an excuse to show off my lawn. My garden obsession has slowly grown now that the weather has gotten nicer, and a big part of this is down to the fact that I’ve recently discovered ‘mower mulching.’
I have always used mulching in other aspects of my garden, whether on my flowerbeds or borders, to support the valuable nutrients in my soil for my plants and shrubs, leaving my grass to fend for itself.
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I’ve been lucky enough to acquire a mulching lawn mower that essentially does the job for me, and I haven’t looked back since.
In this article, you can learn everything you need to know about mower mulching, including its benefits, drawbacks, and the best techniques for effective mulching to ensure you do have a lawn you can show off.
What Is Mower Mulching?
Mower mulching involves spreading natural materials over the soil surface to provide coverage. While there are various types of mulch, I am focusing on grass mulching.
This method involves cutting your grass, usually by using a mulching mower. This lawnmower collects grass clippings and chops them into fine particles, instantly spread directly onto the lawn—no grass box is needed.
Using a grass trimmer or traditional lawnmower leaves long bits of grass that need manual collection, either from the mower’s grass box or by hand.
The small clippings distributed by your mulching mower blend into your lawn, looking practically invisible, and do not stick to your shoes.
Mulching offers many benefits: it conserves water in the ground, suppresses weeds, and improves soil quality. It also neatens up your lawn, reducing the time spent on watering and weeding.
Mulch helps the soil retain moisture in the summer, allows rain to penetrate the soil in winter, reduces weed growth, and protects plant roots during the colder months.
What Is a Mulching Lawnmower
A mulching mower is a lawnmower with a blade and mowing deck designed to chop grass multiple times before returning the cut grass to the lawn.
In contrast, side discharge mowers direct grass clippings to the side. At the same time, lawnmowers collect the clippings in a bag with an attachment.
Of these three types, only the mulching mower leaves you with finely cut grass clippings that act as fertiliser and provide shade for the soil.
How Does A Mulching Mower Work?
A Mulching mower works similarly to other lawnmowers. Whether a push or ride-on mower, they need a lift to keep the grass vertical so the blade can make a clean cut.
However, what sets mulching mowers apart is their unique blade and deck design, which chops the grass clippings multiple times before returning them to the lawn.
The Mechanics of Mulching Mowers
In a mulching mower, the blade generates a stream of air that lifts the grass into the blades. Once cut, the clippings are recirculated and chopped by the blade until they are fine enough to be sent back onto the lawn.
This differs from other lawnmowers, which either direct the clippings out the side or collect them in a grass box.
The mulching blades are designed with curved edges to allow this cutting action and have a larger surface area for more efficient chopping.
Mulching blades are often called “all-purpose” or “3-in-1” blades because they can be used for mulching, bagging, or side discharge.
A mulching mower does not have a side or back outlet, allowing the clippings to swirl under the deck until they are finely chopped.
Standard blades are known as “2-in-1” since they can bag or side-discharge grass. A conversion kit is available to recycle grass clippings using your current lawnmower.
These kits typically include a plate, a mulching plug to close the discharge opening and possibly a new blade. Sometimes, only a new blade is needed.
Conversion kits typically include a cover for the discharge opening, ensuring the mower can properly mulch.
What Are The Benefits of Mower Mulching
Mulching your lawn has many benefits. It saves you time and energy by eliminating the need to dispose of grass cuttings or empty your mower’s grass collector.
It also returns essential nutrients to the lawn, acting as a natural fertiliser and improving the overall health of your grass.
Over time, mulching increases the organic matter in the soil, nourishing the grass to its roots and promoting vigorous growth and health.
It also provides a temporary visual boost by filling gaps with the clippings, making your lawn look less patchy and more vibrant.
Mulching Mowers vs Normal Mowers
A regular lawn mower typically has a bag attachment for collecting grass clippings, which needs emptying.
It’s great to save your class clippings and add them to a compost bin, as they make excellent green material for composting.
Mulching mowers offer an efficient alternative, especially when dealing with a thin layer of foliage.
Unlike collecting clippings, which can lead to a bulky pile, mulching mowers finely chop the clippings and return them to the lawn, providing an accessible and organic way to fertilise your grass.
You can save time by not having to collect and dispose of your excess grass while adding an excellent boost to your current lawn and the valuable nutrients in the soil.
FAQ's
Yes, a mulching mower is superior to a lawnmower for various reasons. Mulching mowers finely chop grass clippings and return them to the lawn, resulting in natural fertilisation and improved soil health.
This method avoids chemical fertilisers, saves time raking or emptying a bag, and promotes lush green grass. Mulching also reduces waste because it recycles cuttings back into the soil.
Yes, a mulching mower is superior to a lawnmower for various reasons. Mulching mowers finely chop grass clippings and return them to the lawn, resulting in natural fertilisation and improved soil health.
This method avoids chemical fertilisers, saves time raking or emptying a bag, and promotes lush green grass. Mulching also reduces waste because it recycles cuttings back into the soil.
While mulching mowers are great for your lawn, there are a few drawbacks. They may require assistance with tall or wet grass, which can jam the mower.
Mulching mowers require frequent mowing to keep the clippings tiny enough to disintegrate quickly. If not utilised correctly, they might cause thatch buildup, which harms your grass’s health.
Mower mulching benefits your lawn by reintroducing nutrients into the soil and acting as a natural fertiliser. This technique enhances soil structure, retains moisture, and promotes healthy root growth.
Regular mulching can reduce the need for chemical fertilisers, improve your lawn’s overall health, and keep it looking vibrant and green.
Mower mulching benefits your lawn by reintroducing nutrients into the soil and acting as a natural fertiliser. This technique enhances soil structure, retains moisture, and promotes healthy root growth.
Regular mulching can reduce the need for chemical fertilisers, improve your lawn’s overall health, and keep it looking vibrant and green.
Mulching mowers can handle damp grass, but their effectiveness is lower than when dealing dry grass. Wet grass can clump and block the mower, making it difficult to achieve fine mulch. Mowing when the grass is dry produces the best results.
If you must mow damp grass, keep the mower blade sharp and go carefully to minimise clogging.
Regular maintenance activities for a mulching mower include sharpening the blade, cleaning the mower deck, and checking for obstructions in the discharge chute.
Keeping the blade sharp allows for efficient cutting and mulching of lawn clippings. Cleaning the deck and chute avoids buildup and ensures proper airflow. Regular maintenance keeps your mulching mower running smoothly and extends its life.
What Is Mower Mulching And How Does It Work?
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