Mulching lawn mower meaning. Mulching vs Bagging – Which Is Better

Mulching vs Bagging – Which Is Better?

During the summer months, the hum of the lawn mower is a regular sound of the season. Hardly a day goes by without hearing and seeing people working hard to keep their yards in pristine shape.

But what happens when the grass is cut? Is the work over? Do people sit back to enjoy the sweet smell of cut grass, or are they busy bagging what’s been left behind by the lawn mower?

Is the view of lush grass marred by bags of grass sitting by the curb, waiting to be brought to the landfill, or is it marred by brown grass clipping that shows every turn the lawn mower has taken?

As long as people have made use of a lawn mower, they have been confronted with what to do with the grass clippings their action produces.

You may also be interested in checking out our article on how to compost at home.

To bag or to mulch—this question has been discussed by families, friends, and neighbors the world over.

So, ladies and gentlemen, we have come to settle this question for good. This blow-by-blow contest pits mulching vs. bagging to settle the argument, once and for all, over what you should do with what your lawn mower leaves behind.

Both mulching and bagging come with their own set of unique benefits.

In one corner is mulching. Mulching helps fertilize your yard in a natural way.

In the opposite corner is bagging. Bagging keeps clumps of grass from forming on your yard to ensure it is pleasing to the eye.

Keep reading until the end to find out which one is better. First, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of both mulching and bagging the clippings you produce when mowing your lawn.

• Benefits of Mulching

• Create a Natural Fertilizer
• Less Work for You
• Unexpected Hydration
• Not Just a Natural Fertilizer
• Help Save the World
• Money in Your

• It’s All About the Look
• Your Own Natural Fertilizer
• Fight the Fungus
• Skip the Rake

Benefits of Mulching

Mulching the grass clippings that lawn mowers create comes with several benefits. Some of these reasons are probably obvious to you, but some mind not immediately come to mind.

Create a Natural Fertilizer

Grass is full of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Of these, nitrogen is especially noteworthy because it promotes Rapid and healthy growth in plants, along with a lush green color.

When you mulch, you integrate these essential nutrients back into the soil. Otherwise, they would be lost to your yard.

The reintroduction of these nutrients cuts back on the necessity of using man-made fertilizers.

Proper lawn care methods prevent the need to use toxic and hazardous chemicals. Any time you can use something organic instead of something chemical, you should do so.

Contrary to what some people think, clippings do not automatically cause thatch.

While clippings can add to an existing problem, today’s lawn mower blades have improved and will leave grass clippings that are very fine and very small. This means they decompose faster and are harder to see in your yard.

Less Work for You

Lawn care and maintenance is a time-consuming activity. In our fast-paced society, time is an incredibly valuable commodity.

You spend hours mowing and trimming the grass in your yard. Do you really want to spend even more time mulching and fertilizing?

When you use the grass blades as mulch, you kill two birds with one stone. The time that you are saving by mulching while mowing you can use for other important tasks.

Unexpected Hydration

Grass is 80% water. When using cuttings to feed your lawn, you are also providing it with some of the water it needs.

All lawns need moisture to survive. This is true not only for the grass, but also for the soil.

During hot and dry periods, the water in the grass clippings will help keep your yard moist. This line of defense can prove to be very important to the survival of your lawn.

While the water in cut grass is not enough to quench your lawn’s thirst entirely, it can supplement it. Any time the weather is particularly hot and dry, any moisture you can give your yard can be a lifesaver for the plants.

To help you have a pristine property, make sure you clear out any brush or vines that may be making it look disorganized.

Not Just a Natural Fertilizer

Grass clippings do more than simply act as a nutrient-rich mulch. They are also a natural form of weed control.

How can that possibly be true, you might wonder.

Well, as long as you are regularly mowing, the layer of cut blades on the surface will be less than 1 inch thick. This is just thick enough to provide your yard with a natural barrier that stops weed seeds from falling to the ground and growing roots.

Be aware that this will only be effective if you are using proper lawn care methods and mow regularly. You don’t want this layer to get too thick. If that happens, then your grass’ overall health can potentially be in jeopardy.

Help Save the World

That statement may seem a bit extreme, but mulching your grass clippings does play a small part in working for the greater good of the planet.

A benefit that many people don’t consider is that mulching decreases landfill use.

Pollution is a very real issue, and landfills today are straining under all the waste they have to store. It is a fact that trimmings contribute to this strain.

By leaving cut grass on the lawn, you cut back on the waste that winds up in our landfills.

In a 2018 press release, experts at the Environmental Protection Agency stated that 10.8 million tons (tons, not pounds) of lawn clippings wind up in landfills every year. That is an astounding number.

While your yard waste may not weigh a lot, by mulching, you are doing your part in helping the environment.

Consider that nearly all cut grass that arrives at a landfill does so in plastic bags. Some of these are not biodegradable and can harm wildlife.

So even if you do not have a compost pile, which most people do not, consider choosing mulching over bagging. It will do good not only to your yard, but also to the environment in general, as there will be fewer plastic bags headed to the landfill. And every little bit makes a difference.

Money in Your

Lawns cost you two things: time and money.

If you mulch while mowing, you save some of the money you might otherwise spend on fertilizing.

If you have hired a professional lawn care company, you may incur additional charges for removing what the lawn mower has left from your property. Even if you bag and haul it off yourself, you still have to pay to unload the debris at a landfill.

Add that to the cost of gas you use to drive to the landfill, the cost of the bags, and the hours you spend to get it all done.

In the end, all of these things can wind up costing you a pretty penny. This is money you don’t need to spend.

Benefits of Bagging

Don’t count bagging your grass clippings out of the fight just yet. There are advantages to using this technique.

It’s All About the Look

When you choose to bag what the lawn mower has taken off, you put your lawn on display as it should be seen. In essence, bagging your clippings will boost your property’s curb appeal.

If you’ve allowed your grass to grow a bit too long, then mowing your lawn will likely leave clumps of clippings strewn about. This makes your property looks less than appealing, especially once the clippings dry out and turn brown.

So if your mower has left a clumpy mess all over, get ready to bag to restore your yard to all its glory.

Your Own Natural Fertilizer

Combining clippings with dead leaves and newspaper inside a yard waste container or compost bin will provide you with nutrient-rich material for plants in your garden and around your home.

So before you begin mowing, attach the bag to your mower and collect some essential nutrients right from the ground.

As long as you practice proper lawn care methods, you will have a steady supply of organic matter to compost and feed your vegetation.

Fight the Fungus

Clippings, especially longer ones, can contain a significant amount of moisture. This moisture can be a breeding ground for fungi and other diseases.

When you bag them, you prevent the diseases from spreading and the fungi from growing.

This is always a good thing for your lawn.

Skip the Rake

If your property is surrounded by trees, choosing to bag your yard debris in the fall will save you some toil and trouble.

In the fall, your property becomes covered with leaves.

Instead of heading out to the shed to grab a rake, just strap the bag onto your mower to clean up the leaves. It’s less labor-intensive and won’t take you hours to finish.

And the Winner Is…

Now that we’ve looked at the pros and cons, in the battle of mulching vs. bagging, the ultimate winner is…

At the end of the day, you’re the winner. Because now you know each technique’s benefits and can choose which one suits you best when the time comes. You have the option to mulch on one occasion and bag on another.

As you have read, both techniques can prove beneficial to your lawn’s overall health, depending on what your particular circumstances are.

While you will probably choose to mulch those trimmings in most instances, there are circumstances under which bagging will be the best course of action.

Now that you’re armed with the knowledge to keep your grass healthy and flourishing, get out there and enjoy it.

If you have any questions about which method to choose, come back and read this article. Because, at the end of the day, all you want is for your lawn to look great. Understanding these methods and when to use them will ensure that you make that happen.

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About the author: Carley Miller is a horticultural expert at TheGreenPinky. She previously owned a landscaping business for 25 years and worked at a local garden center for 10 years.

Mulching vs Side Discharge: Which One Wins As The Best Lawn Mower?

Mulching vs side discharge compares the two most commonly used lawnmowers today. On the one hand, you have mulching mowers that can mulch and fertilize grass while cutting it simultaneously.

On the other hand, you have side discharge ones that allow you to cut wet, long grass and cover a large area. Find out the basic differences between both of them in this well-researched guide.

• Mulching vs Side Discharge Comparison Table
• What Is The Difference Between Mulching and Side Discharge?
• What Are The Characteristics Of Mulching Mowers?

• – Serves As a Fertilizer
• – Needs Less Cleanup Afterwards
• – Safer Than Side Discharge
• – Makes The Grass Look Lush
• – Not Good for Wet or Long Grass

• – Mows Large Areas Quickly
• – Can Be Used On All Soil Types
• – Works Even On Wet and Tall Grass
• – Less Frequent Mowing Needed
• – Side Discharge Is Very Messy
• – Waste Of Grass Clippings

• – Should You Mulch Every Time You Mow?
• – Do You Have To Mow Slower When Mulching?
• – Will Mulching Weeds Spread Them?
• – Why Does My Mulching Mower Leave Clumps Of Grass?

What Is The Difference Between Mulching and Side Discharge?

The main difference between mulching and side discharge is that mulching types have curved blades that cut grass into very small pieces. There is no opening for discharging the lawn cuttings. A side discharge has an opening through which it throws the clippings out.

What Are The Characteristics Of Mulching Mowers?

Some important characteristics of mulching are that it serves as an effective fertilizer. needs less clean up, and makes for a healthier lawn.

– Serves As a Fertilizer

Mulching blades help you to fertilize your lawn while you mow it simultaneously. What happens is that they cut off the grass finely, and then the cut grass moves into the cutting deck. where it is chopped up into different finer pieces.

These very finely cut pieces of grass are then strewn across the lawn while the mower moves from one end to another. These are naturally rich in nitrogen and serve as organic mulch and fertilizer.

Because they are cut into such small pieces, they get decomposed in a short amount of time. In many ways, this natural fertilizer works much better than any organic fertilizer. What is even better is that these clippings are laid down in a neat little layer that does not ruin the overall look of the lawn.

– Needs Less Cleanup Afterwards

Unless you live someplace very windy, using mulching types of blades will need very little cleanup after mowing. If tall buildings surround your lawn, then the mulch clippings will be automatically prevented from being blown away by strong winds.

The grass cuttings laid over the lawn by these blades are pretty neat and do not give a rough appearance. However, if you still want to clean up your lawn after mowing. that is quite easy.

over, these mowers have the option of turning off the mulching mode as well. You can simply choose to collect the grass clippings instead of converting them into mulch or discharging it from the side.

– Safer Than Side Discharge

These mower blades are much safer compared to side discharge blades. This mower keeps all the clippings contained under the body of the mower.

This means no more cut grass pieces flying off the sides. This is handy when people and pets are around, and you do not want pieces of grass going into their eyes.

– Makes The Grass Look Lush

Using mulching blades to mow the lawn and simultaneously spread grass clippings as mulch over it will make your lawn lusher. Mulch acts as an organic layer over the entire lawn, which prevents excessive water from evaporating. In fact, mulch can help retain as much as 80 percent of water. compared to grass that is not covered by mulch.

So basically, these grass cuttings not only help retain water but provide nutrition as well. You will notice your grass becoming greener and lusher than ever.

However, remember that only grass varieties with wide blades take kindly to being mulched. Do research on what grass variety you have growing on your lawn and whether you should mulch it or not.

– Not Good for Wet or Long Grass

Mulching mowers are not suitable for cutting wet grass. When cut into small pieces by such blades, wet grass gets stuck inside the cutting deck and is not discharged by the mower.

Unless you clean the deck after each use, these wet and clumped-up clippings will also affect the efficient working of the mower blades.

over, the curved end of the mulching blade does not give it the freedom to cut very long grass either. Again, using this blade to cut long grass will lead to the deck clogged and random long pieces of grass collecting patches over the lawn.

What Are The Characteristics of Side Discharge?

Some important characteristics of side discharge are that it can quickly mow grass in very large areas of land, is suitable for all soil types, and, most importantly, will even cut tall and moist grass.

– Mows Large Areas Quickly

A side discharge mower is great for mowing lawns that are large in size. This mower will do the work much faster if you allow the cut grass to blow in various directions.

This mower is much faster because it does not have to spend time converting cut grass into mulch. The mower just keeps cutting ahead with its sharp blades and discharging the cut pieces on the side in a very short amount of time.

– Can Be Used On All Soil Types

A discharge mower has the great advantage of working on all soils, lawns, and grass types. Do not worry about it if your lawn is made up of a mostly sandy type of lawn.

Still, the grass blades need to be taller if this mower is to cut them efficiently. You will find it hard to mow grass that does not grow very tall.

The surface of the lawn is also better flat or smooth for discharge to work properly. Otherwise, the grass will get cut up unevenly.

– Works Even On Wet and Tall Grass

Compared to mulching mowers, discharge ones are very effective against wet or tall grass. This is because they have an opening on the side from which the lawn clippings get thrown out. These wet or long clippings will not get stuck within the blades or cutting deck.

This is good news for you because you will not have to clean your mower after each use. You will also not have to wait for the rainwater or the early morning dew to dry before embarking on lawn mowing.

If you do not have time for regular lawn care or your grass seems to grow tall quickly, then this is the mower you need to have. The shape of the side discharge blade allows you to cut wet and tall grass easily compared to that of a mulching type of blade.

– Less Frequent Mowing Needed

A discharge mower will save a lot of time because less frequent mowing will be needed. Firstly, this is because it can mow very tall grass without any risk of it getting choked up. The grass can grow tall whenever you are busy and then be easily cut off when you get the time for it.

Secondly, the side-discharge mowers are designed so that their blades can cut very close to the ground. For grasses that can be mowed low, this is very useful.

You can mow them as low as possible and take a break until the grass grows again. We are sure that those who live hectic lives or are not that invested in constant lawn care will be very happy with this feature.

– Side Discharge Is Very Messy

Side discharge basically works by splattering grass clippings several feet away from the mower. Because of how the blades work, these clippings are strewn in all directions, making your lawn look messy.

Walls and fence that might be lining the lawn will get their fair share of grass splatters. If wet grass is cut, it will literally stick to any surrounding boundary or car parked alongside the lawn or the turf.

You will also have to ensure no one is around when cutting grass with side-discharge lawn mowers. Humans and pets might cut grass into their eyes, which can be quite harmful.

– Waste Of Grass Clippings

Honestly, using side discharge instead of mulching mowers seems like a waste of grass cuttings. The grass cut by side-discharge type blades is much too large to serve as an effective fertilizer.

over, these clippings are randomly strewn over the lawn and serve no purpose. In fact, they sometimes look so bad that they need to be removed from the lawn after mowing.

Some of the latest mower types allow you to bag grass clippings and store them. This will save you from cleaning the lawn after mowing, but you will still have to deal with the bagged clippings by yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

– Should You Mulch Every Time You Mow?

It is unnecessary to mulch your grass every time you mow, but it is beneficial. Mulching types of mowers are great because they give you the option of either turning cut grass into mulch or bagging it for any other use.

If you mulch grass every time you mow, you will see a great improvement in the condition of the lawn. A layer of mulch will help retain more moisture during hot days. decompose quickly, and turn into fertilizer.

– Do You Have To Mow Slower When Mulching?

Yes, you have to mow slower when mulching grass while mowing. A mulching-type blade must cut grass clippings multiple times to become a worthy mulching material. Naturally, it cannot do so if you use the mower at a very high speed.

With this mower, you need to go slowly also because it gets clogged up easily. Grass cuttings have no escape when the side discharge opening is closed. If you are going too fast, you risk getting the cutting deck clogged much faster.

– Will Mulching Weeds Spread Them?

Yes. mulching weeds will spread them all over the lawn. During mowing and mulching, the weed seeds will also get converted into mulch along with the grass blades.

These seeds will then be spread all over the lawn by the mower along with the mulch. Soon, you will notice weeds erupting where they were not growing. That is why we do not recommend mulching unless your lawn is completely weed-free.

– Why Does My Mulching Mower Leave Clumps Of Grass?

Your mulching-type mower is probably leaving clumps of grass because you are mowing wet grass. This mower is not designed to mow wet grass efficiently.

Not only does it leave clumps of grass behind, but that machine also gets clogged.

Conclusion

You have now read a great deal about the mulching vs side discharge types of mowers. The main difference between them lies in their design and blade shape.

If you have a small lawn with grass that will grow better when mulched, then a mulching type of mower will suit you the best. For larger lawns and grass that grows tall frequently, a side discharge type of mower might be a better choice.

What is a Mulching Lawn Mower?

A mulching lawn mower is a machine that mows grass without leaving large clippings behind. The design of the mulching lawn mower utilizes a special type of blade that chews and cuts the lawn clippings into a very fine mulch, which is simply deposited back into the lawn. The result is a cleaner lawn as well as healthy grass due to the continual application of mulch at every mowing.

The typical mulching lawn mower does not have a discharge chute. Instead of discharging the clippings, the blade whips the clippings into the air to be repeatedly cut by the spinning blade. In kits which turn a regular lawn mower into a mulching lawn mower, a block-off plate is included to cover the discharge chute. Some models include a catch bag that uses a discharge chute to direct the mulch into a collection bag, which can then be emptied in the location of the user’s choice.

With growing concern over the use of chemicals and man-made fertilizer on the average lawn, the mulching lawn mower fills a need for an eco-friendly lawn maintenance machine. By turning grass clippings and leaves into mulch, the average lawn can become self-sufficient and healthy. The homeowner is able to better manage the care of the lawn by deciding when to cut the grass and when to allow it to grow.

For lawns with an abundance of trees, the mulching lawn mower is able to turn the falling leaves into a fine mulch that can be easily vacuumed and placed in a compost pile or container. This saves valuable time over raking the leaves into a pile. With more and more US cities cutting back on funding for programs such as leaf collection, the mulching lawn mower can be a valuable tool for the homeowner.

Many people with allergies prefer to use a mulching lawn mower, as the mulching action prevents the mower from discharging pollens into the atmosphere. This self-containing action allows the operator to breathe cleaner air as he mows. Dust is drastically reduced by the enclosed mowing deck and noise is reduced by containing the whirling sound of the mower blades.

The cost of a mulching lawn mower is comparable to a non-mulching mower. Also, conversion kits are available to turn almost any push or riding mower into a mulching machine. Often, the cost of a new mulching mower can be less than the price spent on yard care services, making the move to mulching a money-saving idea.

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What is grass mulching?

The vast majority of lawn mowers work in the same way: they use a blade to cut grass, blowing the clippings into a collection box at the back, which you then empty into a compost heap or a garden waste bag. The alternative option is mulching, where the grass clippings aren’t collected but are returned to the lawn. Here’s what you need to know about the process.

What is grass mulching?

Mulching is any material spread over the surface of soil and used for covering. There are many types of mulch, but here’s we’re looking at grass mulching specifically. Mulching involves cutting the grass clippings into tiny pieces that aren’t collected in the grass collection box but are returned to the lawn instead.

It’s not like when you use a grass trimmer and end up with long bits of grass that manually have to be collected; instead, the grass clippings are so small that you won’t even notice them on your lawn, and the bits won’t stick to your shoes.

Why use grass mulching?

Grass is full of nutrients and moisture, so removing these in clippings doesn’t make sense. Using mulching, the clippings break down and return the nutrients and moisture to the soil. It’s estimated that grass clippings contain around 25% of the fertiliser your lawn needs yearly. That saves you money on lawn feed, as well as being kinder to the environment.

Mulching also saves time, as you don’t have to stop to empty the grass collection box on your lawn mower.

What do you need to mulch grass?

You need a lawn mower that’s capable of mulching. Some mulching lawn mowers are designed specifically for this task, but many other models in our guide to the best cordless lawn mowers can be upgraded with a mulching kit, such as the excellent STIHL RMA 339 C.

A mulching kit consists of a plug that blocks access to the collection box’s chute, and it replaces the blade with a mulching one: this is designed to cut grass into fine particles. Robot lawn mowers are all designed to mulch, using fine blades to shred the grass, so you never have to collect any cuttings.