Grass as a mulch, comments

[gixxerific]

I have always used grass clippings as a mulch. If I'm am to understand correctly, grass while decomposing robs some of the nitrogen from the soil. But again if I am to understand correctly after decomposition it releases nitrogen back in to the soil.

The reason I'm wondering is I normally put it on straight out of the bagger, green in all it's glory. There has been talk around here of straw which is already dried up before application. Do you think it is wrong to apply green grass clipping to the garden? Would it be better to let it sit out for a while to go brown than apply thereby hopefully reducing the nitrogen rob.

It is a wonderful mulch as far as I'm concerned and definitely stops weeds from coming up. However it does compact and I might have to rough it up every now and then to allow air and water a better passage. Another benefit I see, though I may be wrong in my thinking, is that it decomposes very fast thus feeding the soil fast.

So what do you all think?

Thanks

Dono

[mjweber54]

I would let it dry first, I have not use it to control weeds but will try this year. I have put it in my compost pile and you are right it breaks down very quickly. One of the problems with putting it in your garden green is it get very hot and it stop water from getting water to your plants, it gets kinda matted. Leave it dry for about a week, everyday move you pile around, it will smell some but it should be dry in a week.

Mike

[Sage Hermit]

I would use dry grass clippings and have been for mulch purposes. I also heard it adds some N so when I have seed sprouts popping up I add it in a circle around the new growth. Usually I take the grass, wet it a little and roll it in my hands like a little snake then apply it like that. I find that helps with the air and flow and the disturbed fibers absorb and retain even more moisture.

[bigdoug]

I have used grass in the past more as a weed suppressant in between rows. Using it around your plants is better than having weeds there, but there are better methods that allow more air and water to get to the roots.( newspaper, mulch fabrics, straw etc.)

[top_dollar_bread]

the reason why I think grass can rob N from soil is when people add to much grass to one spot.
grass is a green when thinking composting but when we just apply grass (greens) and in a large amount (like a mulch), it is like layering bad compost on our garden.
(anaerobic biology)
like you mentioned gix
grass clipping have the tendency to compact, plus are moist (like most greens) ther for reducing oxygen level in the decomposition process, making it a great place for anaerobic to take over, who then I believe may rob N from soil but more then likely will let N go to the atmosphere as a gas. either way losing the goods
but
if adding grass clippings with equal parts dry fall leaves or news paper (some kind of brown/carb),then I don't think you will have a problem with N being lost and "I think" you will get more bang for your clippings.
letting them dry works well too and when mowing the lawn I find it best not to collect the clipping (in the bag).. just mow, the clippings don't compact this way (IME) and feed the lawn very well
I don't know if this makes sence but oh well

[gixxerific]

I think I will change it up a bit this year. I can get straw from my neighbor. I will probably get some for that and still add the grass. I can even add shredded paper. I already have several bags of it waiting to be added to the compost when there is a shortage of browns. Plus I'm getting a paper shredder for my birthday, no more having to borrow one.

And all my clippings either go in the garden or back to the grass so no worry about me sending them to be composted elsewhere or worse, a landfill.