Bagging vs. Mulching

Before buying a lawn mower, it’s important to know whether or not you need a mulching mower. These mowers are only necessary a few months out of the year, but have many advantages to them. The same goes with bagging lawn mowers. Continue reading to learn differences, benefits and disadvantages of each method.

Bagging Your Clippings

Bagging by definition is simply the collection of lawn clippings in a bag connected to your lawn mower, removing the grass once and for all. Another way to describe bagging is by manually collecting the clippings left behind from your mower. An advantage of bagging while mowing is the easy upkeep of your yard along with clean and tidy curb appeal. The downfall to bagging is the labor if done manually and the money you’ll need to spend on fertilizer and extra water to maintain a healthy lawn.

Mulching Your Lawn

Mulching by definition is a collection of leaves and straws that remain on the lawn and provide moisture in the soil while simultaneously fertilizing plants. Besides providing moisture, mulching also provides nutrients to your soil, creating a healthier lawn. Lawns need high amounts of nitrogen which is found in grass clippings. But mulching can overpower you lawn if you wait until the grass blades are too long. Once there’s too much mulch, thatch begins to form and you’ll eventually end up bagging by hand.

When to Cut Your Grass

It’s important to know when to mulch and when to bag. Mulching isn’t necessary 12 months out of the year. In fact, your lawn gains the most benefits when you mow twice a week during late spring and early fall. During the rest of the year, it’s much better for your lawn when you remove the clippings right after each mow.

During the ‘off-season’ for mulching and if you’re continuing to mow without a bag you should still cut the grass with the intention of mulching, or approximately 1/3 the length to prevent mulch from matting together, and to allow the fallen grass blades to lie nicely in the lawn. You can then choose whether or not to manually remove the clippings.