I know mulching when mowing is typically a good thing for the health of the yard. If this is the case, under what circumstances should I bag the clippings?
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2 Answers
Well I'm intrigued - your statement 'mulching when mowing is generally a good thing' is not one I'd agree with, in principle. I don't know what kind of grass you're growing, but in the UK, we do not let the clippings lay on the lawn UNLESS the weather is very hot and dry, and likely to continue to be so. Allowing clippings to remain on the lawn increases the amount of thatch, blocks light from the blades of grass, may encourage weed growth if you already have weeds in the lawn, and encourages fungal diseases. They are, though, left when the weather is hot and dry as a bit of protection from the heat, and to provide a bit of much needed moisture for a brief period.
Given where you are, it's likely that your summers are much more 'summery' than ours, in which case, the 'when the weather's hot and dry, let the clippings fly' rule applies - provided the clippings are not full of weed seeds.
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It also depends on how long the grass it is - your disadvantages sound like very long-grass disadvantages. "Mulching" lawn mowers are designed to cut the cuttings up more than simple clippings. If you don't mulch, then you'll be forced to add fertilizers to the grass over time.– winwaedCommented Nov 1, 2012 at 12:43
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Yes, a mulching mower actually mulches, vs. a discharge mower, which leaves the full cut blades.– DA.Commented Nov 1, 2012 at 16:00
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1My understanding is that clippings from a mulching mower do not contribute to thatch. Commented Nov 9, 2012 at 22:50
The rule of thumb is mulch all year except late spring and fall when the weeds are seeding, but in general you can mulch all the time, unless you there are weeds that you don't want to spread.
