Re: grass clippings as mulch
- Subject: Re: grass clippings as mulch
- From: G* M* <m*@awwwsome.com>
- Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 14:11:52 -0700
- References: <37787E4E.52D2@cgac.es>
The only caution I have regarding grass clippings is the potiential for
importing damaging quantities of herbicides along with clippings from
recently treated lawns. Hopefully it is not as common in Spain, but the use
of 2,4,D and other broadleaf herbicides is common here and insidious in such
cutely-named products as 'weed and feed'. While these chemicals will
degrade fairly rapidly (so we are told) in composting conditions, the raw,
recently treated clipping can carry some along.
Other than that, drying the clippings first converts them into essentially
very short-cut, high quality hay, and eliminates sticking and matting in
most cases. Tremendous nitrogen release as they decompose, and great fodder
for the soil fauna, especially come winter and the re-awakening of the
night-crawling worms.
--
Gary Matson Far Northern California (with a climate very much like
central Spain)
http://www.plantstogo.com
Adapted Plants for Hot Summer Climates
Damian Martin wrote:
> 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)
