5 Things to Do with Grass Trimmings

Many often view Grass trimmings as garden waste, but through the self-sufficiency lens, they appear as a valuable resource. Whether you’re mowing a small lawn or maintaining a sprawling yard, here are some practical and eco-friendly ideas for dealing with grass trimmings.

1. Leave Them on the Lawn (Grasscycling)

Grasscycling is one of the easiest and most beneficial methods for handling grass clippings. By leaving them on the lawn after mowing, you allow them to decompose naturally, returning essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil. This practice reduces the need for additional fertilizers and helps maintain a lush, healthy lawn.

How to Grasscycle Effectively:

• Use a mulching mower or a regular mower with a sharp blade.
• Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass height at a time.
• Ensure the clippings are evenly distributed to prevent clumping.

2. Add Them to Your Compost

Grass clippings are a great addition to compost piles as they are rich in nitrogen, which helps balance carbon-heavy materials like dried leaves and paper. When combined, these ingredients create nutrient-rich compost for your garden.

Tips for Composting Grass Clippings:

• Mix clippings with “brown” materials (e.g., leaves or straw) to prevent the pile from becoming too wet and smelly.
• Turn the compost regularly for proper aeration.
• Avoid using grass treated with herbicides or pesticides, as these chemicals can harm your compost.

3. Use as Mulch

Grass clippings can act as a natural mulch for flower beds, vegetable gardens, or around trees. They help retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds, making them an excellent, cost-free alternative to store-bought mulch.

Steps to Mulch with Grass Clippings:

• Spread a thin layer (1–2 inches) around plants. Thicker layers may mat down and block airflow.
• Allow clippings to dry before application to reduce odor and avoid overheating plants.

4. Create Grass Tea

For gardeners looking for a quick nutrient boost for their plants, grass tea is an excellent option. This liquid fertilizer can be made by steeping fresh grass clippings in water.

How to Make Grass Tea:

• Fill a large bucket with fresh clippings and water (1 part clippings to 2 parts water).
• Let the mixture steep for a few days, stirring occasionally.
• Strain the liquid and use it to water plants for an instant nutrient boost.

5. Feed Livestock or Poultry

If you have livestock or poultry, grass clippings can be a supplemental feed source. Chickens, goats, and rabbits enjoy fresh, untreated grass, but it’s essential to offer clippings in moderation to prevent digestive issues.

6. Avoid Sending to Landfills

While it might seem convenient to bag up clippings and send them to the landfill, this is often the least sustainable option. Grass decomposing in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and takes up valuable space.

Instead, if your local community offers green waste collection, you can contribute clippings for municipal composting programs. Check with your local waste management services for specific guidelines.

Safety Tips for Grass Trimming Reuse

Avoid Chemical Contamination: Never use clippings treated with pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers in compost or as mulch around edible plants.

Prevent Overheating: Grass clippings can generate heat as they decompose, so monitor piles to avoid damage to plants.

Dispose of Weeds Separately: If your lawn has invasive weeds, do not use the clippings as mulch or compost to prevent the spreading of seeds.

Grass trimmings are far more than waste—they are a versatile resource that can improve your garden, reduce costs, and contribute to environmental sustainability. Whether you choose to grasscycle, compost, or create mulch, you’ll be making a smart and eco-friendly choice that benefits both your lawn and the planet. Embrace these strategies to turn yard waste into a green solution!