How to Use Grass Clippings to Start a New Garden

Recently we moved into a new home. With a new home comes many challenges. With respect to the garden we are dealing with a blank slate to cultivate. Starting new gardens is a fun and challenging prospect but while doing so it is important to create these gardens in a way that will nurture them and help them grow in the future. That’s why I’m starting our first garden beds by the house by using grass clippings as a base layer of mulch.

I’ve used grass clippings and mentioned them many times in the past (in particular with raised beds) for good reasons. There are a number of benefits to using grass clippings as a garden amendment and as a mulch. What is really nice is that grass clippings can be used any time of year to add organic matter to you garden beds whether in a vegetable garden or an ornamental garden. They aren’t extremely attractive so I’m using them as a base layer of organic mulch then will cover over with a more traditional and attractive mulch later.

Benefits of using Grass Clippings in a Garden

Grass Clippings Make a Great Mulch

Grass clippings make an excellent organic mulch. The clippings hold moisture in the soil, keep weed pressure at bay, and slow down the temperature changes in the soil.

Soil Amendment

As grass clippings break down they provide nutrients in the soil for the plants and microbes. Grass clippings have about 4% nitrogen, 1% phosphorous, and 2% potassium making them a good low impact fertilizer to put those nutrients back in the soil (University of Missouri Extension)

Improve Soil Structure

Grass clippings and other organic soil amendments can help to improve the soil structure by adding organic matter. Organic matter can help regular moisture for sandy soils or thick heavy clay soils and bring a better balance to your soil.

Less Evaporation

Mulches help to prevent the evaporation of water from the soil. Grass leaves do a good job of slowing the rate of evaporation which in turn will help help you reduce how much you have to water.

Grass Clippings are a Weed Barrier

Grass clippings and other mulches will prevent weeds from coming up from the soil. Weed seeds usually need light to germinate and a good 2 inch layer of mulch prevents that from happening. Weed seeds get blown in from time to time and rest on the surface of mulches and can germinate but a mulching layer on top of the soil prevents what is underneath from becoming a problem.

Temperature Regulation

In areas of extreme temperature grass can help keep the soil temperature more stable. The clippings form a barrier against the sunlight and the heat and combined with moisture retention help to regulate the temperature in the soil.

Grass Clippings are CHEAP

Grass clippings are also very affordable! Most likely you have some area of lawn you can mow. Either get a mower with a bagging attachment or rake up the excess grass clippings after you mow. I have two bagging mowers I use. An old Murray mower that I’ve had for over 20 years and a self propelled mower.

You can Compost with Grass Clippings too!

If you aren’t starting a new bed you can always compost the extra grass! Mix the grass clippings with you household organic waste from the kitchen, leaves, wood chips, or manures to balance your compost bin and add good organic matter.

A Few Words of Caution with Grass Clippings

• Don’t use clippings from rhizomatic grasses like Bermuda or St. Augustine. The stems of those types of grass can grow roots and become a problem later in garden beds. Our grass is a mix of fescue and rye grass which are cool season grasses and form clumps.
• Also avoid using grasses that have gone to seed or have too many weeds that have gone to seed in them. You don’t want to put seeds in new garden areas that don’t need to be there!
• Don’t use grass clippings if they have been treated with herbicides. Many lawns are treated with selective herbicides that could be harmful to plants you may want to plant in your garden beds.

Watch the Process of Harvesting Grass Clippings for Our Mulch

Below is a video on starting our first garden using grass clippings. I do recommend mowing when your grass is shorter and in the afternoon after it has a chance to dry out. With the length on this grass I’m not sure it would have dried out! Please watch and consider subscribing to Growing The Home Garden on YouTube!

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