Lawns & Mowers: Bag CuT Grass or Let it Fall?
 

Which is better for a residential lawn -- a lawn mower that "bags" the cut
grass or one that "mulches" it to return to the lawn itself?

Is there a consensus about which is better -- bag the cut grass or let it
drop back onto the lawn?

Thanks!

--
Kevin M. Quinley

Lawns & Mowers: Bag CuT Grass or Let it Fall?
 

"KEVIN M QUINLEY" wrote in message
...
Which is better for a residential lawn -- a lawn mower that "bags" the cut
grass or one that "mulches" it to return to the lawn itself?

Is there a consensus about which is better -- bag the cut grass or let it
drop back onto the lawn?

Since the purpose of a mulching mower is to keep the nutrients in the grass
with the lawn, a mulching mower is best, in my humble opinion. Most people
over fertilize their lawns, in search of a bright green. This isn't to say
I don't like a nice green lawn (and I've had these lawns in the past, right
now I'm in a new home and I'm getting the lawn back into shape), but I
dislike spending extra money to cause the grass to grow so I can bag it and
carry it to the curb on Tuesday Night :-).

Personally, I like to have the option to bag when necessary (some of the
heavy spring cuts need to be bagged) and when to mulch (all other times).

--
Jim Sullivan

Lawns & Mowers: Bag CuT Grass or Let it Fall?
 

I do both, one week I bag it in my rider mower, the next week I mulch it.
For my first year with a sodded lawn, this worked very well by applying the
nitrogen of the mulched blades, the second year had problems, but I dont
attribute that to the mulching or bagging, just other problems. So i'd say
doe it in an on off patern.

"KEVIN M QUINLEY" wrote in message
...
: Which is better for a residential lawn -- a lawn mower that "bags" the cut
: grass or one that "mulches" it to return to the lawn itself?
:
: Is there a consensus about which is better -- bag the cut grass or let it
: drop back onto the lawn?
:
: Thanks!
:
: --
: Kevin M. Quinley
:
:

Lawns & Mowers: Bag CuT Grass or Let it Fall?
 

Mulching returns nutrients to the soil. The trade off is, the
clippings left behind result in an appearance that is not as perfect
as that from removing the clippings, particularly if tend to let it go
too long. But real good mulchers do an excellent job and you don't
have to empty bags, which can be a real pain.

IF you go the mulching route, make sure you get a good one. I have a
Honda and it has been super. Don't even think about using one of the
add on replacement mulching blades on a regular deck. Without the
proper overall design, they dont work worth a damn.

That reminds me of one other draw back to mulchers. They tend to not
do as good a job on sparse, thin grass areas, leaving it somewhat
roughed up looking. On a nice dense lawn they work fine.






"GamePlayer No. 1058" wrote in message news:87947229d1b7e1c1a7c8bcb1d79d9eba@TeraNews.. .
I do both, one week I bag it in my rider mower, the next week I mulch it.
For my first year with a sodded lawn, this worked very well by applying the
nitrogen of the mulched blades, the second year had problems, but I dont
attribute that to the mulching or bagging, just other problems. So i'd say
doe it in an on off patern.

"KEVIN M QUINLEY" wrote in message
...
: Which is better for a residential lawn -- a lawn mower that "bags" the cut
: grass or one that "mulches" it to return to the lawn itself?
:
: Is there a consensus about which is better -- bag the cut grass or let it
: drop back onto the lawn?
:
: Thanks!
:
: --
: Kevin M. Quinley
:
: