Mowing Techniques and Tips

The Environmental Steering Committee advocates the cut and let lay grass cutting technique to keep grass clipping out of the waste stream. The following information is from the PA Department of Environmental Protection GrassCycling.

Any mower can recycle grass clippings - just remove the grass catcher. Ask your lawn mower dealer if you need a special safety plug or adapter kit. Installing a mulch blade also is helpful.

Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade in one mowing. Keep grass mowed to 2" in early spring, gradually raise the height to 3" to 4" by summer, then gradually reduce to 2" by late fall.

Mow when the grass is dry.

Keep your mower blade sharp. Dull mowers tear the grass blade, injure the plant and cause the turf to take on a brownish cast.

If the grass gets to high, mow over the clippings a second time to further shred and scatter them.

To prevent excess growth between mowing, raise the mower height, mow, then gradually lower it over a span of several mowings. This will prevent shock to the plants. When it is time to replace your mower, consider a mulching, recycling or nonpolluting reel mower. All of them do a good job of shredding and scattering grass clippings.