MOWING

PART 4 - GRASS CLIPPINGS

Introduction

Grass clippings are a by-product of the mowing operation. It is the cut grasses that are left behind or captured in a grass catcher by the mower when cut your lawn. Grass clipping are short when you mow your lawn following the “one-third” rule (never mow more than one-third height off your grass in a single mowing session) and frequency. If you neglect your mowing responsibilities, grass clippings can be longer.

CLIPPING REMOVAL

The return of clippings over an extended period of time reduces the turfgrass quality even more so, under conditions of intensive turfgrass culture.

Clippings should be removed when: -

A.The clipping interferes with the purpose for which the turf is intended;
B.Excessive quantities;
C.Disease development could occur;
D.Enhance thatch development; and
E.Looks untidy

Clippings are removed from golf and bowling greens since their presence would interfere with the direction and velocity of ball roll.Grass clippings can be removed while mowing by using mowing equipment with collector or by using a sweeper.

An excessive number of clippings may occur during periods when the growth rate has been quite rapid and environmental conditions have interrupted the normal mowing frequency. When this condition exists, the clippings must be removed in order to avoid damage to the turf by light exclusion.Random accumulation of clippings, which occur when mowing wet turf, should be dispersed or removed.

The return of clippings is commonly practiced on turfs grown at a low intensity of culture such as home lawn, landscape areas, and areas that is not used for sports. This is beneficial since the clipping release nutrient to the soil upon decomposition. Clippings also contribute a certain amount of organic matter to the soil that can result in improved soil structure.Constantly checking the grass clippings in the basket of the mower can provide important information. An uneven distribution of clippings inside the basket revels that the mower may be dull or out of adjustment.

Grass clippings have an odour of their own. It is very pungent and distinctive when the grass is healthy, but when grass is sick, the clippings don’t smell nearly as good.

Early warnings of a pending fungus disease outbreak can often being detected by simply sticking one’s nose into a handful of clippings. A foul-smelling odour is a sure giveaway that disease is trying to gain a foothold. In the basket, among the clippings you can look for the adult insect and bugs, this may help to determine the need for spraying and insecticide.

Clippings can also reveal the succulence of the turf. Over fertilized turf produce an abundance of fat, juicy, snippets of grass. Lean greens make for wiry, thin, stringy leaf blades.

Media Department; The RS Group.