During summer, lawns can quickly turn from a lush green to a dry, brown hue as a result of sweltering temperatures. However, a gardening expert has shared a simple tip to ensure your grass stays healthy and verdant
The blistering heat of summer can take a toll on our gardens, turning once lush lawns into dry, dull patches, but there’s an easy trick to keep your grass green and thriving. The solution is hiding in plain sight: the grass clippings you usually collect after mowing can double as a natural fertiliser, providing essential nutrients as they break down.
Gardening expert Larry Hodgson, known to many as the Laidback Gardener, has shared this clever method called ‘grasscycling’. This technique not only feeds the lawn but also helps it hold onto moisture for extended periods.
He said: “In times of drought, a grasscycling lawn stays green longer than a lawn whose clippings have been collected, because by forming a thin mulch, they reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture.”
He’s a big advocate for the practice, adding, “In other words, weedcycling has nothing but advantages and almost no inconvenience. What are you waiting for to put it into practice?”
Grass clippings are superb at retaining moisture, which means less water evaporates and your lawn stays hydrated during hot summer spells. These cuttings are also packed with nitrogen, a key nutrient that encourages dense, robust growth, keeping your lawn vividly green, reports the Express.
For the best results in summer, ensure you mow the lawn regularly, creating short grass clippings that decompose quickly and nourish the lawn more efficiently.
Larry explained: “Longer clippings tend to accumulate, forming unsightly clumps that don’t decompose easily and must be broken up and spread with a rake. Herbicomposting is more effective and easier if you mow frequently.”
For those eager to make the most of their grass cuttings in the garden, it’s recommended to maintain the lawn at 10 to 12 centimetres during mowing and not let it grow beyond 15cm.
If you’re dealing with an overgrown lawn, set your mower to the highest notch and pick a dry day for cutting.
It’s crucial not to cut more than a third of the grass height at once; doing so can stress the turf and sap soil moisture.
Once you’ve gathered your clippings, choose a sunny spell to scatter them lightly, allowing them to settle between the blades of grass.
Steer clear of laying down thick or wet clippings as they can cause matting, preventing sunlight, air, and moisture from reaching the root system.
By spreading a thin layer of fine, short clippings every two weeks, you’re paving the way for a verdant, vibrant lawn throughout the summer.