International Journal of Waste Resources

Mowing, Watering and Fertilizing of Grass: Grasscycling

Evan Nischay^* Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, United States
^*Correspondence: Evan Nischay, Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, United States, Email:

Received: 02-Jun-2022, Manuscript No. IJWR-22-17201; Editor assigned: 07-Jun-2022, Pre QC No. IJWR-22-17201(PQ); Reviewed: 28-Jun-2022, QC No. IJWR-22-17201; Revised: 05-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. IJWR-22-17201(R); Published: 15-Jul-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2252-5211.22.12.472

Description

The process of organically recycling grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn after mowing is known as grasscycling. Grass clippings are wet, rich in nutrients, and swiftly disintegrate.

Grasscycling helps the environment in saving time and money because bagging and disposal of cuttings are no longer required, mowing time is minimized. Grass clippings provide the soil with nutrients and organic materials resulting in healthy and verdant lawns. Grasscycling decreases turf grass fertilizer and water usage which turn down chemical runoff into storm drains and contaminating creeks, rivers, and lakes.

Grass clippings account for a surprising amount of waste in California. Instead of being utilized in urban environments, most of this wonderful green stuff ends up in landfills. Depending on the turf species, environmental conditions, and turf management procedures, California lawns can create 300-400 pounds of grass clippings per 1000 square feet per year. Each year, this equates to 6 tons per acre. Grass clippings are much valuable to be discarded, and grasscycling permits this green material to be reused in our urban environments. Grasscycling can make a lawn look healthier if it is regularly mowed, watered, and fertilized.

Tips for successful grasscycling

Proper mowing, watering, and fertilizing techniques promote a healthy, green lawn with more moderate turf growth. Following these turf care rules, grasscycling can be done on any healthy lawn:

Mowing: For grasscycling to be successful, proper mowing is essential. It is preferable to mow grass while it is dry, and maintain mower blades sharp (dull blades can shred grass and create a potential entry way for disease). Mow the lawn frequently enough that each mowing removes not more than 1/3^rd of the length of the grass blade. Mowing properly will result in short clippings that do not cover the grass surface. When the grass is growing quickly, such as in the spring, cut it more frequently, or double cut it, but trim it considerably less when the turf is developing slowly. When a lawn is not mowed regularly enough and long clippings are left on the grass, it can take on a "hay-like" appearance which looks ugly. Raising the mowing height in the summer in many parts of California stimulates deeper roots and protects grass from drought and heat damage.

Watering: During the growing season, most grasses in California require around 1 inch of water every 5-7 days, and much less during the slow growth months. Lawns that are irrigated often develop shallow root systems, making them more vulnerable to stress and disease. Deep, infrequent watering results in a deeper, root system and allows turf to withstand disease and stress. Overwatering is not only inefficient, but it also causes lawns to grow more quickly. Morning is the optimum time to water because evaporation is less during morning times. Watering in the evening should be avoided since prolonged wet conditions can promote disease development.

Regularly inspecting water systems to prevent water runoff or over-spraying, especially if the lawn is on a slope. Look for broken, slanted, or blocked sprinkler heads and adjust them to provide consistent coverage, as well as changing the irrigation timer periodically to fit the turf's water needs.

Fertilizing: Proper fertilization is necessary to maintaining a healthy lawn. Over-fertilization can damage the lawn by promoting excessive and succulent top growth. Using a combination of fast acting fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, or urea) and slow release nitrogen sources (sulfur-coated urea, urea formaldehyde, IBDU, or organic fertilizers) to obtain moderate growth. Fast-acting fertilizers cannot be used in huge quantities. These fertilizers promote rapid development for a short length of time.

Thatch and disease : The biggest cause of disease transmission is improper watering and fertilization. Grass roots are the primary cause of thatch, according to research. Majority of tatch is made by roots, stems, rhizomes, crowns, and stolons. These plant components are high in lignin and take long time to degrade. Grass clippings are primarily composed of water, have very little lignin, and degrade quickly. Bermuda grass and kikuyu grass are more prone to thatch than other grass.

Conclusion

Grasscycling is not always a viable option. In instances where grass clippings are likely to be generated in large quantities, such as prolonged wet weather, mower mechanical breakdown, grass clippings should be bagged and grass clippings can be composted at home instead of throwing away. Clippings can also be utilized as mulch around flower beds, trees, and shrubs to keep weeds at bay and minimize moisture loss. Mulching with clippings should be discouraged if they are of an invasive species, such as Bermuda grass or if the lawn has recently been treated with herbicides.