Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 12:22:48 -0400, "lbbss" wrote:

I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes, black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.


I wouldn't use freshly cut grass for mulch. Too much nitrogen. I'd
only use decomposed grass for mulch. If nothing else, at least the
grass should be old enough to be brown.

scr

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes, black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

I use straw, its pretty cheap

"lbbss" wrote in message
...
I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes,
black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

In article , "lbbss" wrote:
I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes, black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.

I'm in the desert, and I use grass clippings as mulch -- not so much
to prevent weeds, but more to keep in moisture so seeds don't dry up
before they get established. Without it, there's no getting grass
started from seed (grass from turf doesn't root down well enough
here).

Let the grass get *thoroughly* dry before using it as mulch -- dry it
in the sun, well spread out, turning it occasionally until it is
completely crispy. (It will turn brown over time, but that's not
critical here.) If there is any moisture left, that will mold and
that's not good for your veggies.

Use only a THIN layer -- just enough that you can't quite see the dirt
anymore. That way the grass can dry up again after you water it, so it
won't mold underneath. The finer the grass is chopped up, the more
important this is. LONG grass, once dried, does not tend to mold quite
like grass that's been ground up by a lawn mower.

You can also use last year's DRIED dead leaves from northern-type
deciduous trees (ash and elm are best) but all the same caveats apply.
This has the benefit that it breaks down into the very best of soils
(whereas grass, just laying in a pile, takes YEARS to break down).
Squish them down to flakes for best results, then mix lightly with the
top inch of dirt.

If the mulch tends to get soggy and stay that way, remove it. Some
soils just don't work with grass type mulches.

If you don't have ground termites (which we do in the SoCal desert,
YMMV), try coarse sawdust instead -- it works better than grass and
breaks down into good quality soil over time. I don't mean sawdust
like you'd get from a home project (tho you can use that), nor chips
(which make things too soggy), but rather the stuff about 1/4" size,
about like very small gravel or coarse sand, from the ripping saw pit.
Sawmills usually give it away. It also makes a nice ground cover for a
dog kennel.

~REZ~

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

In article ,
"lbbss" wrote:

I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes, black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.



Grass clippings might grow if there are any nodes...
Might make _more_ weeds!

K.

--
Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

,,Cat's Haven Hobby Farm,,Katraatcenturyteldotnet,,

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...user id=katra

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 13:07:38 -0400 in
, "Stoph"
graced the world with this thought:

I use straw, its pretty cheap

it lasts longer, too... but most people have free grass clippings
readily available. I like straw around, well... strawberries.

"lbbss" wrote in message
...
I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes,
black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

In article ,
"Stoph" wrote:

I use straw, its pretty cheap

"lbbss" wrote in message
...
I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes,
black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.





I use leaves, mostly picked up in bags alongside the road where other
fools are throwing them away.

It's free. ;-)

K.

--
Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

,,Cat's Haven Hobby Farm,,Katraatcenturyteldotnet,,

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...user id=katra

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

As long as there are no pesticides used on it.

Grass is high in nitrogen, so be careful not to use too much.

From: belly
Organization: .
Newsgroups: rec.gardens.edible
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 17:52:05 GMT
Subject: Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 13:07:38 -0400 in
, "Stoph"
graced the world with this thought:

I use straw, its pretty cheap

it lasts longer, too... but most people have free grass clippings
readily available. I like straw around, well... strawberries.

"lbbss" wrote in message
...
I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes,
black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

Katra wrote:
...Grass clippings might grow if there are any nodes...
Might make _more_ weeds!...


More likely, if you don't cut it frequently enough, it will contain seeds.

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 17:58:12 GMT in
, Ross graced
the world with this thought:

As long as there are no pesticides used on it.

good point. However, if you're buying it to spread around pens, my
guess would be that it's safe to use for mulch. Best to check and know
what you're using though.

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

I put news paper down first then grass on top. It's a good way to recycle
the old paper.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Support American Families, Buy Made In USA!
Kentucky Rustic Barrels
http://www.KentuckyRustic.com


"lbbss" wrote in message
...
I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes,
black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

"lbbss" wrote in message
...
I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my
tomatoes, black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if
that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to
prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the
vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede
insect in the
grass.

I've done it, but ended up with lots of grass sprouting after the
mulch decomposed.

Bob

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

Glenna Rose wrote:
.................................................. ...
I cannot imagine not mulching with grass; I mow to mulch. I use grass for
mulch around trees, rhodies, etc., after my garden is advanced enough to
make it inconvenient to place it around veggies.

There has not been any disease in my garden nor have has there been in
insect problem........................................... ....
Glenna

Glenna, that could have been written by me. I feel the same.

I collect all the grass clipping I can get from my own yard. I use
it right out of the mower bag to mulch around my fruit trees (not
touching the trunk) and any bare ground in the garden and even the
flower beds. It works very well between my rows of corn and extra
nitrogen is certainly never a problem with corn! Actually, I find no
reason to worry about extra nitrogen anywhere else, really. I put it
on about 4 inches thick. Mostly it just gets dry and not enough
decomposes into the soil at any one time to boost the nitrogen very
much.

Steve

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

"lbbss" wrote in message
...
I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my
tomatoes, black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent
weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the
vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect
in the
grass.


I use grass clippings all the time without incident. The key is to use
a layer thick enough to inhibit weeds but not so thick that it
decomposes into a slimy mess. About one inch at a time is my
recommendation. With this, even freshly cut grass can be used. You'll
have to renew it several times over the summer, as grass decomposes.
Earthworms love it - when I dig where I've mulched I always find an
abundance of earthworms.

Guy Bradley
Chesterfield MO
zone 6

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

"lbbss" wrote in message
...
I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my
tomatoes, black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent
weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the
vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect
in the
grass.


I use grass clippings all the time without incident. The key is to use
a layer thick enough to inhibit weeds but not so thick that it
decomposes into a slimy mess. About one inch at a time is my
recommendation. With this, even freshly cut grass can be used. You'll
have to renew it several times over the summer, as grass decomposes.
Earthworms love it - when I dig where I've mulched I always find an
abundance of earthworms.

Guy Bradley
Chesterfield MO
zone 6

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

Wouldn't it be better to allow the grass clippings to lie on the lawn
and fertilize the grass, and use something else on the garden?

vince norris

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 12:22:48 -0400, "lbbss" wrote:

I like the idea of using grass clippings as mulch around my tomatoes, black
berries, grapes, and fruit trees. I am just not sure if that is
recommended or a good idea? I want to find a cheap way to prevent weeds
from growing and keep the ground moist.
I heard that the grass clippings can spread disease to the vegetables.
My dad found the clipping breeding some kind long centipede insect in the
grass.

We used to put down grass clippings around plants as we got more and
more. Dad mowed the church grounds so we always had lots of grass
clippings and one day we decided to eat dinner before unloading the
trailer and it was steaming/smoking before we got back out an hour
later perhaps, it was charcoaled in the middle and got the pitchfork
tines hot enough to scorch my skin when I bumped it into it. That was
when I learned that green vegetation piled up heats .. I was about 14
and I figured out why there were so many haystack fires.. stacking it
too soon.. not dried enough..

Anyway, we didn't have much trouble with it causing too much growth
from the nitrogen as after the first bunch of grass spread out between
the plants and it dried to a tanish brown shortly after It's spread
out. The point is not to put it down thick enough that it heats.
Older grass shields the newer grass and the nitrogen it might
contain.. I mention this because someone was concerned it may have too
much nitrogen.

The only thing you can do is try it on part of a planting, try
something else in another spot. I know Do not put fresh wood shavings
down ;-)

The main problems we had with using any kind of mulch was that the
slug population exploded. The little reddish centipedes are predators
and your friend. Same for the fast moving ground beetles! The ground
beetles supposedly eat slugs!

If you have some kids around and ponds with toad tadpoles, get a bunch
when they grow their last legs and start hopping out of the water.
Bring a bunch home and put them in your garden, supply them with
shallow pans sunk in the ground up to the rim.. of NON CHLORINATED
water .. put some water in a bucket and let it set Uncovered for 24
hours.and use that.. and just provide them with a little rock to climb
up on and water to keep moist as they make their transition to out of
water full time. Provide hiding places all over the yard, broken pots
turned on their side if the rest of the shell is rounded.. to provide
the toads houses.. a few might stay around and they'll eat slugs and
other bugs!

Janice

Use grass clipping as mulch to keep weeds from growing?
 

I have been mulching my garden with fresh grass clippings for over 15
years and never had any problems whatsoever. When I first put them down
in the spring, I use about a 4"- 8" layer around everything. By the end
of the day, or the end of the next (depending on what time I mow,) the
clippings have dried out and the layer has reduced to about half of what
it was when fresh. They do not decompose quickly enough to release
enough nitrogen to cause burning problems. As the season progresses, I
just replace what has decomposed. I have even used them when they were
full of weed seeds, such as dandelion, and haven't had any weed
problems. They mat down as they dry and hold water in nicely. As far as
pests using the clippings for cover or clippings causing diseases, I
have not had a problem with either. In my opinion, grass clippings are
the perfect mulch...with one caveat:

When using grass clippings is that you don't want to use them from a
lawn that has weed killer used on it. The grass will pick up the
chemicals and as the clippings decompose in your garden, the chemicals
will be left. It would be better to compost clippings that come from a
non organic yard so that the chemicals have the chance to break down
before being used in your garden.

All that said, I have found that using grass clippings as a mulch varies
from gardener to gardener, as the number of postings show. I say try it
out on your garden to see if it will work for you. If you have concerns
about any damage or pest problems they might cause, experiment in a
small section of your garden. After all, isn't experimenting what
gardening is all about?