Get greener grass by grasscycling

You’re probably not used to hearing you don’t have to clean up after yourself. We’re giving you a free pass for your grass clippings this summer, so don’t let them go to waste!

Grasscycling, sometimes called mulching, is when you leave grass clippings on your lawn instead of raking them up after mowing. Rather than wasting time, energy and heavy yard waste bags, you can leave the cut grass as-is on your lawn – there are many benefits to doing so! 

Here’s everything you need to know:

Why grasscycle?

• Natural fertilizer: Grass clippings are full of water and essential nutrients, like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus; clippings release those nutrients and moisture back into the lawn once they decompose. This nutrient-rich fertilization results in a healthier root system that increases not only the beautification of a yard but also its resistance to disease, thatch, drought and insects.
• Saves water: A blade of grass is nearly 85 per cent water and, if left alone, can release this water back into your lawn, helping to hydrate and keep moisture in your lawn and limiting the need to re-hydrate the lawn with additional water use.
• Saves time: Grasscycling means you can skip the hassle of raking up grass clippings when you finish mowing. Just make sure to spread them over your lawn evenly.
• Cuts down on waste: Leaving cut grass on the lawn means you can set out even less waste at the curb on collection days!

Tips for effective grasscycling: 

• Mow more often: By keeping your grass shorter, your grass trimmings can break down faster, helping to quickly and effectively hydrate and fertilize your lawn.
• Skip the bag: If your lawnmower has a detachable bag, remove it before getting to work.
• Mow before it rains: If you’re planning on grasscycling, it’s best to mow your lawn when the grass is dry. Wet grass can clump together, making it difficult to spread the clippings evenly across your lawn.
• Ensure your lawn is weed-free: Before grasscycling, remove weeds, such as dandelions, to prevent the spread of weed seeds.
• Try backyard composting: A lot of your plant-based organic waste can be back yard composted, including grass! Just make sure your dry clippings are spread in thin layers over the rest of your compost. More information on backyard composting here.

For more information on yard waste collection, visit vaughan.ca/waste.

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