To Bag- or not to bag?
 

I've got a well established 31 tall fescue lawn growing in Atlanta's hot
clay soil (nicest one in the neighborhood, actually). I've always used the
grass catcher on my mower but I'm getting tired of emptying the bag all the
time.

If I just let the clippings spray out onto the lawn, would I get thatch
build-up--- or would the clipping just disintegrate? And how bad is thatch
anyhow?

Jos.

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

Jos. Wheeler said:

I've got a well established 31 tall fescue lawn growing in Atlanta's hot
clay soil (nicest one in the neighborhood, actually). I've always used the
grass catcher on my mower but I'm getting tired of emptying the bag all the
time.

If I just let the clippings spray out onto the lawn, would I get thatch
build-up---

Yes. Very much so. The clippings from a standard blade will not chop them
fine enough to break down before they build up. If you mow often enough, so
that the clippings are small, and keep the grass at the correct height for
the species, you *may* not have an issue. But, it would require a rigid
schedule to ensure that you don't build up the thatch layer to thick.

or would the clipping just disintegrate?

No. See above.

And how bad is thatch anyhow?

A little acts as a light mulch, is necessary, breaks down as a
high-nitrogen fertilizer, and acts as a cushion for foot traffic. Too much
acts as a barrier, keeping water, fertilizer, and air from penetrating to
the roots. It also provides a save haven for insect infestation.

If you choose to allow a thatch buildup, you can help control it several
ways. You can top dress your lawn with a light layer of compost, or the
introduction of earthworms which will eat the thatch. If the thatch becomes
too thick, then a bit more drastic measures need to be taken. You can
verti-cut your lawn. It's sometimes called a "power rake". In essence, it's
a vertical-cutting lawnmower. It's going to leave your lawn looking a mess,
but immediately after you're through, just rake up the lose stolons, and
throw them away. After you've cleaned up, then you'll need to aerate (with
a core-aeraor, and then top dress with compost.

Maintaining your lawn the way it is, would probably be the least amount of
work. From your description, you're doing things right. A nice lawn
requires a lot of work. There are no shortcuts.

--
Eggs

Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

"Jos. Wheeler" joe@csa wrote:
I've got a well established 31 tall fescue lawn growing in Atlanta's hot
clay soil (nicest one in the neighborhood, actually). I've always used
the grass catcher on my mower but I'm getting tired of emptying the bag
all the time.

If I just let the clippings spray out onto the lawn, would I get thatch
build-up--- or would the clipping just disintegrate? And how bad is
thatch anyhow?

Jos.

Clippings aren't thatch. Thatch is part of your growing grass plants, so
no, you're not bagging won't really contribute to your thatch layer.
Clippings will make a very un-sightly mess behind your mower if they are
excessive tho..you can go back over it and chop it again with your tractor
and disperse the clippings again..I like to bag during the spring and fall,
I use it for weed block along the back forty fence line. Aerate once a year
if you can.

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

Steveo said:

wrote:
Jos. Wheeler said:

I've got a well established 31 tall fescue lawn growing in Atlanta's
hot clay soil (nicest one in the neighborhood, actually). I've always
used the grass catcher on my mower but I'm getting tired of emptying
the bag all the time.

If I just let the clippings spray out onto the lawn, would I get thatch
build-up---

Yes. Very much so.

Nope. Clippings aren't thatch. Clippings will smother the turf long before
they become part of the thatch layer.

I never said they "were" thatch. But, they *can* contribute to it's
build-up. It depends on how long they are, which would depend on how often
the lawn is mowed, and at what height.

--
Eggs

-A man who lives in a glass house should change in the basement.

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

Steveo said:

Clippings aren't thatch. Thatch is part of your growing grass plants, so
no, you're not bagging won't really contribute to your thatch layer.

Sorry, but the above statement is only partially correct. While it's true
that "clippings aren't thatch", it is untrue that they won't contribute to
the thatch layer.

Just curious as to your background in turf grass management, if you don't
mind providing that information. Please don't take that as any type of
flame. I really am only curious.

--
Eggs

-It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat.

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

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

"Eggs Zachtly" wrote in message
...
Steveo said:

Clippings aren't thatch. Thatch is part of your growing grass plants, so
no, you're not bagging won't really contribute to your thatch layer.

Sorry, but the above statement is only partially correct. While it's true
that "clippings aren't thatch", it is untrue that they won't contribute to
the thatch layer.

Just curious as to your background in turf grass management, if you don't
mind providing that information. Please don't take that as any type of
flame. I really am only curious.

--
Eggs

-It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat.

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

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!"

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

Thank's Plug..I am speaking the truth.

plug" wrote:
Stevo knows his stuff and has been posting here for several years

"Eggs Zachtly" wrote in message
...
Steveo said:

Clippings aren't thatch. Thatch is part of your growing grass plants,
so no, you're not bagging won't really contribute to your thatch
layer.

Sorry, but the above statement is only partially correct. While it's
true that "clippings aren't thatch", it is untrue that they won't
contribute to the thatch layer.

Just curious as to your background in turf grass management, if you
don't mind providing that information. Please don't take that as any
type of flame. I really am only curious.

--
Eggs

-It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat.

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

Steveo said:

wrote:
Steveo said:

Clippings aren't thatch. Thatch is part of your growing grass plants,
so no, you're not bagging won't really contribute to your thatch layer.

Sorry, but the above statement is only partially correct. While it's true
that "clippings aren't thatch", it is untrue that they won't contribute
to the thatch layer.

Just curious as to your background in turf grass management, if you don't
mind providing that information. Please don't take that as any type of
flame. I really am only curious.

I take care of my grass.

Ahh. That must make you an expert, then.


You're so smart about grass, show me where grass clippings are thatch,

There you are again, with the "clippings are thatch". Again, that's not
what I said. I explained how they can *contribute* to thatch, in my reply
to plug, as well as in my reply to the OP. You, as you've done before,
conveniently snipped that part of my reply. If you want to play little
Usenet games by snipping all but the part of your reply that will fit your
argument, I've no time for that.

and then tell me your qualifications.

I'm currently a Horticulturist at a private country club, and working
towards a degree in Grounds Management. Doesn't make me an expert, nope.
Never claimed that it did. But, I'll stand by my claims as *I've* made
them, not as *you've* snipped and altered them.

--
Eggs

-Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, any more than standing in a
garage makes you a car.

To Bag- or not to bag?
 

"Jos. Wheeler" joe@csa wrote in message
...
I've got a well established 31 tall fescue lawn growing in Atlanta's hot
clay soil (nicest one in the neighborhood, actually). I've always used the
grass catcher on my mower but I'm getting tired of emptying the bag all
the time.

If I just let the clippings spray out onto the lawn, would I get thatch
build-up--- or would the clipping just disintegrate? And how bad is thatch
anyhow?

Jos.

Thanks for the suggestions-- and the humorous tit for tat...

Jos.

To Bag- or not to bag?