More about grass clippings as mulch
- To: Mediterranean Discussion Group <m*@ucdavis.edu>
- Subject: More about grass clippings as mulch
- From: A* <b*@bcn.servicom.es>
- Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 11:14:19 +0200
In Nigeria (I agree, certainly not Mediterranean) I found a practise
which shocked me at first but worked without troubles: Gardeners used to
place fresh grass clippings (mostly, Bahama grass) at the foot of young
trees which were planted in the middle of the lawns (not on the ones in
planting beds).
The resulting circle of clippings around the tree was not bigger than 70
cm in diameter. The stuff was fresh and rotting, which I first thought
as not too healthy for the tree (possibility of fungal problems,
absorption of Nitrogen, etc...). The system worked well, I guess most of
the active tree roots were further away than that distance from the
trunk. Part of the maintenance routine included "stirring" the clippings
from time to time to avoid creation of a solid pan and promote aeration.
The system had another advantage: it created a protective area around
the tree where it was not necessary to mow the grass, as there was none.
Living grass right against tree trunks is not desirable due to
competition and probable damage on the bark created by lawn mowers.
During the almost three years I spent there we observed no problems with
this technique. I agree that conditions over there are special, with
spectacular yearly tree growths, high temperatures and unlimited labour
availability, but my initial fears (based on theoretical horticultural
knowledge) were overcome by practical observation.
Albert Bestard
Collbató (Barcelona)
Zone 9
