Mulching lawns, yes or no? Those are the pros and cons

2021-07-23T12:10:24.094Z

Every year amateur gardeners ask themselves the following question: mowing or mulching? We explain how the latter works and the advantages and disadvantages.

Every year amateur gardeners ask themselves the following question: mowing or mulching?

We explain how the latter works and the advantages and disadvantages.

Only the best for the lawn - but what exactly is it?

Some advocate mowing, others advocate mulching.

But what exactly is the difference and which method is better?

We explain everything there is to know about mulching.

What exactly is mulching and how does it work?

Mulching is an

alternative to conventional mowing

, where the clippings end up in a grass catcher and have to be disposed of afterwards.

With the mulching mower, however, the cut and finely chopped up grass lands on the lawn again, where it serves as a

natural fertilizer

In terms of the work steps, there is no difference between mowing and mulching.

Nonetheless, mulching is still controversially discussed by experts.

Mulching or mowing: what are the pros and cons?

To answer these questions, a research team led by Prof. Dr. Karl-Ernst Schönthaler from the Institute for Landscape Development at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna carried out

a long-term study

. The researchers had a 2,000 square meter lawn at their disposal, which they tended for over four years. One half of the area was traditionally mowed and fertilized, the other half mulched - without adding any other nutrients. The result was

clearly in favor of mulching

. 24garten.de * reports how mulch mowing helps to create a denser lawn area *.

For the mulched part of the lawn looked after the study

a lot more vital, possessed a dense sward and had a juicy green color
on

The research team identified these advantages of mulching:

Fertilizer costs are saved
: with mulch fertilization, the lawn receives all the nutrients it needs.
This includes 20 to 23 grams of nitrogen, four to five grams of phosphorus and twelve grams of potassium per square meter.
In addition, mulching fertilizes the lawn more evenly than a fertilizer, which
costs
the consumer
around 30 euros per 100 square meters
.
Weeds don't stand a chance
: for a long time this was considered a disadvantage of mulching.
Hobby gardeners feared that the grass clippings they left behind could cause thatch to form.
But the opposite is the case: there was
hardly any species shift
- but there was with the mowed lawn.
The added nutrients from your own clippings strengthen the lawn and leave weeds such as moss no space.
Floor breathes better
: And again a prejudice that has been cleared up.
According to critics, the soil would suffocate under the clippings - but the study found that the organisms in the soil of the mulched lawn are
40 percent more active
and the soil thus achieves a higher breathing capacity.
Mulching saves time
: When mulching, the researchers had to work 21 times per season - when mowing only 17 times.
However, a mulching process only takes 80 percent of the time of conventional lawn mowing - where the clippings still have to be disposed of.
That is why you save
some time with mulching,
calculated over the year
.

Conclusion

: What is often interpreted as a disadvantage to mulching - formation of lawn thatch or the risk of suffocation of the grass - is usually not a problem at all.

However, only if the mulching is done properly.

You will learn exactly how it works in the next few paragraphs.

You can also read all the results and information about the study here.

Read here

how to optimally fertilize your lawn.

When is the right time to mulch?

After the winter break, wait until the lawn has reached

seven to eight centimeters

- then you can use the mulching mower for the first time.

If you mow too early, you risk damaging the stalks - if you wait too long, you may not be able to mow the lawn with the maximum adjustable cutting height.

By the way

: mulching is only done on dry lawns.

Otherwise the grass threatens to clump together.

How often do I have to mulch the lawn?

Once you have cut the lawn for the first time, you have to keep on going.

Because regular cutting is an absolute must, especially when mulching: If you mow too seldom, you have more clippings on the surface per mowing process - which leads to the formation of

lumps

Therefore - as mentioned above - you should

mow

at least 21 times a year

with an interval of seven to eight days

If the grass grows extremely quickly, it has to be mowed twice a week.

Also interesting

: How to beat clover in the lawn.