plug said:

Stevo knows his stuff and has been posting here for several years

Oh, I don't doubt it. I've lurked here a while, just haven't posted. My
question as to his background was not meant to be derogatory at all. The
OP's question has no cut and dry answer.

There are many more factors involved than just "can I quit bagging". The
thickness of the existing thatch layer being one. If the clippings cannot
come in contact with the organisms near the soil layer, they can't
breakdown, and therefore *will* contribute to the thatch layer, creating
more problems than simply removing the clippings.

--
Eggs

A piece of motorway and piece of dual carriage way are enjoying a drink in
the pub. In walks a piece of red tarmac. The motorway whispers to the
carrageway "Come on lets drink up and go before the trouble starts; He's a
cyclepath!"