grass clippings as mulch
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: grass clippings as mulch
- From: D* M* <i*@cgac.es>
- Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 10:05:34 +0200
Dear Med-planties,
Can anyone comment on the relative benefits of raw grass clippings as
mulch? I have recently started experimenting with it rather
enthusiastically, mainly to give protection from heat and fierce sun to
my last round of native plantings in our wildlife garden (wild olives,
tamariscs, carob trees, figs, arbutus, wild almonds). Another benefit is
water retention for our rather poor sandy soil. The attraction of grass
clippings to us is availability (unlimited) and cost (zero): Many of my
neighbours with ample green lawns thoughtfully leave great black bags of
the stuff outside their gates after the week end. It doesn't seem to
have quite as big a "sponge" effect with water as leaf mulch and it
does tend to matt if it dries too quickly after a soaking. This last
effect concerns me as I have recently lost some newly planted Celtis
australis and I haven't ruled out "pressure cooking" of the roots due to
an unwise combination of grass mulch, water and excessive heat. But, as
I say... its free!
Damian Martin
Talavera, Central Spain (hot dry Summers, cold Winters)
