On 14 Apr 2004 08:19:50 -0700, (Don) wrote:

I have about two acres and a 48 inch cut Craftsman lawn mower. Every
time I mow I leave tons of grass clippings. I cut it very short I
think. I only have time to mow once a week.

What is the proper "technique" for mowing? I think part of my problem
is that I usually mow "clockwise" and probably should be mowing so I
blow the clippings where I have just mowed. The reason I dont do this
is it will blow clippings on my driveway/sidewalk/mulch. ANy help
would be appreciated! No one ever showed me the proper way to mow.

By the way I bought some blades that say mulching/discharge blades
from Sears for this mower. Should I make a plate to block the
clippings from being "shot" out? So the mulching blades will chop them
up finer? Any help is appreciated!

3" is the recommended length to cut the lawn to. Shorter is damaging
to most grasses.

Make a pass or two one way, then do the rest the other way. Bag the
first couple passes .. sounds like you're not bagging/collecting the
grass.. such a shame, what a compost pile you could have ;-)

If you want to mulch, then you gotta cut more frequently, and at that
3" height, shouldn't be cutting off more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch I'd
think if you truly want it to mulch, and have the cut off grass fall
to the ground between the grass blades decompose and feed the lawn.
Otherwise, you're just makin' thatch that will eventually kill off
some of the grass and leave openings for weed seed to grow.

Mow a bit each night instead of a big mow once a week.. or hire
someone else to do it if you don't have time.

Reduce your lawn area through landscaping. I'd imagine if you don't
have time to mow, you don't have time to vegetable garden.. although
that would give you a place to use grass clippings that aren't
contaminated with herbicides.

Janice