10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
We’ve all been guilty of it at some point—bagging those clippings, hauling them to the curb, and sending them on a one-way trip to Lawn Waste Limbo. But what if I told you that those clippings are more than just green confetti? They’re potential, my friends, potential for a greener, happier, and more sustainable lawn.
So grab your lawnmower and your chunky white New Balances as we delve into the top 10 ways to reuse those grass clippings. It’s time to turn your lawn into a powerhouse of eco-friendliness.
Let’s get down to the grass tacks of lawn clippings…
#1 Grasscycling
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
This is the practice of leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. The clippings break down and provide nutrients to the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer. It can also help retain moisture in the soil.
#2 Composting
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
Lawn clippings can be added to a compost pile or bin. Composting isn’t as easy as just dumping scraps into a pile. It does take a bit of work so, I don’t recommend it lightly. But it is great for the environment and you get the benefit of a super nutrient rich compost that can be great for a personal garden.
Lawn clippings are a valuable source of nitrogen and can help balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in your compost. Mix them with other organic matter like leaves, kitchen scraps, and wood chips for a balanced compost mix.
#3 Mulching
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
Again, this option doesn’t really result in that manicured lawn look. However, lawn clippings can be used as mulch in garden beds and around trees and shrubs. This helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health. However, be sure not to use thick layers of clippings, as they can mat and prevent water from reaching the soil. Personally, I still prefer the look of a nice brown bark chip mulch. Your city may even have an organic resource facility that offers free mulch. I used to take advantage of that for my own mulch beds. They just let you go in and fill up the bed of your truck with as much mulch as you can load yourself. It’s great for landscaping on a budget.
#4 Animal Feed
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
If you have access to farm animals like chickens or rabbits, you can feed them lawn clippings. Make sure the clippings are free of pesticides and herbicides, as these chemicals can harm animals. It’s also important to double check if lawn clippings are safe for your animals. My wife and I have horses and the clippings can actually cause them to colic and die.
#5 Green Manure
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
Mix lawn clippings into the soil in your vegetable garden as a green manure. This can improve soil fertility and structure. Be sure to let the clippings decompose for a few weeks before planting to avoid nitrogen competition with your crops. Again, like composting, this is a bit of extra work. But if you’re willing to do it, more power to ya!
#6 Lawn Clipping Tea
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
You can make a liquid fertilizer by steeping fresh or dried lawn clippings in water. This nutrient-rich “tea” can be used to water your plants. I’ve never tried this and probably never will. Sounds like too much work for me but It could be a fun experiment to try out.
#7 Mulch for Paths
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
Use dried grass clippings as a natural mulch for garden paths. They can help suppress weeds and create a neat appearance. It’s not really the look I go after but the weed suppressant is tempting.
#8 Bio Fuel
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
In some areas, lawn clippings are collected and processed as biofuel, which can be used for energy generation. Check with your local city offices to see if they offer this service.
#9 Donate or Share
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
If you have excess clippings, consider offering them to neighbors or local community gardens. Some people might find them useful for their own gardening projects. Or they might find it really annoying that you are trying to dump your lawn waste on them. Try your best to read the room.
#10 Biodegradable Bags
10 Ways to Reuse Your Grass Clippings
If you must dispose of lawn clippings, use biodegradable lawn bags or paper bags instead of plastic. Many municipalities have specific guidelines for disposing of yard waste.
