Don’t trash your GRASS
Mowing tips
In March 2003, the Region banned grass
clippings from curbside garbage collection.
Grasscycling is the natural recycling of
grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn
after mowing. It is a simple and effective
way to supply lawns with precious nutrients,
while saving time, money, water and conserving landfill capacity. The benefit of
grasscycling is a greener, healthier lawn.
Don’t bag your grass!
Did you know that...
• It costs regional taxpayers over
$150,000 per year to dispose of grass
clippings
• Homeowners who quit bagging their
clippings save an average of 35 minutes per mowing
If your lawn has grown too long between
cuttings, don’t scalp it back all at once.
Reduce lawn height gradually, in two to
three mowings.
Letting your grass grow
under your feet
Mowing
One of the most common mistakes in lawn
care is cutting grass too short. When
mowed to the correct height, a lawn will
grow thicker and have a deeper root
system. This increases its resistance to
drought, diseases, insects and pests. A
higher cut also shades roots and discourages weeds. To ensure correct grass
height, set your mower height to remove
only 1/3 of the grass blade at any time.
When more than this is cut, the remaining
plant cannot support the large root system
required to absorb water and nutrients
during drought conditions. It is recommended
that you allow your lawn to grow to at least
9 cm (3-1/2 inches) in height and cut back
to 6 cm (2-1/2 inches).
Never mow during a drought or when
the grass is wilted, as this causes
excessive stress on the plant.
Never mow when grass is very wet.
Mower blades tear wet grass as
opposed to providing a clean, even cut.
Cutting wet grass can also cause
clippings to clump together and smother
your lawn, causing brown areas.
Keep mower blades sharp. A ragged or
shredded cut makes the lawn more prone to
diseases and discoloration at the tips.
What about water conservation?
In Waterloo Region, water is a valuable
resource - it must be used wisely and
sparingly, especially during the summer
months when lawn watering competes
with many other water demanding
activities.
For more information call 519-575-4400, TTY 519-575-4608 or visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste
June 2014
Currently, Regional watering by-laws set restrictions
on watering hours effective May 31st to September
30th each year. For more information on watering
restrictions, the watering of newly applied grass
seed or sod, or grass treated with herbicides,
pesticides or fertilizers, contact the Region’s Water
Efficiency Section at 519-575-4400.
You can have too much of a
good thing
Fertilizer
Lawns need properly-timed fertilizer applications to
become dense and green. Grasscycling, along with
the proper use of commercial fertilizer can improve
the health of your lawn. Grasscycling alone can
provide up to 25 per cent of your lawn’s total
fertilization needs. In fact, a discarded bag of grass
clippings wastes 100 grams of free fertilizer. Like
commercial fertilizer, grass clippings contain valuable
amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium,
as well as necessary minor elements that grass
plants need. In as little as 14 days, clippings can
release nutrients back into the soil. When required,
use an organic or slow release synthetic fertilizer in
addition to grass clippings and apply frequently: 3 to 4 times a year instead of once a year.
Remember
Over-fertilizing and too much watering can cause
excessive surface rooting, which results in the build
up of a layer of organic material known as “thatch”.
A little thatch is not a problem, but beyond 1.25 cm
(1/2 inch) deep, it can prevent water and nutrients
from reaching grass roots. Proper application of
water and fertilizer is the best means of preventing
thatch build-up.
Alternatives to grass
If caring for grass is not for you, there are several
ground cover alternatives which are low maintenance
and don’t require high volumes of water to thrive.
Ask about these at your local garden centre or
nursery.
Don’t forget
Grass clippings can be composted too! If necessary,
rake up clumps of grass and excessive clippings and
compost them easily in your
backyard. For best results,
mix with “brown” wastes
such as dry leaves,
straw or wood chips.
Please don’t put grass
or other yard waste in
the green bin.
Great grass facts!
Grasscycling saves time and work.
Grasscycling eliminates the time spent raking,
which over the summer can save you as much as
seven hours of work.
Grasscycling does not spread lawn diseases.
Improper watering, fertilizing and sharpness of
mower blades have a much greater influence on
the occurrence of disease than grasscycling.
Grasscycling can be done with any lawnmower.
No special equipment is necessary to
grasscycle.
However, many manufacturers have attachments
that can improve your mower’s grasscycling
performance.
Grasscycling does not create thatch build-up.
Thatch is composed primarily of grass roots and
stems, not clippings. Clippings left on the lawn
decay quickly and release valuable nutrients
back into established grass.
Grasscycling means responsible lawn care
and waste reduction. Grasscycling is a great
way for residents to participate in curbside waste
reduction.
For more information, call Region of Waterloo Waste Management at 519-575-4400, TTY 519-575-4608. See the Region’s other
publications on Naturescaping: Water Efficient Gardening in Waterloo Region.