Mulching: what is it?

Ecological and economical, mulching makes it possible to to recycle the blades of grass, once the lawn shaved. As they break down, they protect and nourish the lawn. Short explanation of this mowing technique.

Principle of mulching

This term of English origin which means “mulching” designates the fact of mowing the lawn without collecting the grass. It is essential to have a mower equipped with this “mulching” option or equip it, if possible, with a mulching kit, special for practicing this mowing technique.

The goal is to cut and finely grind the lawn in order to obtain a fine mulch. This will naturally nourish the lawn thanks to the decomposing blades of grass. In addition to strengthenit will protect it from possible periods of summer drought by retaining a certain humidity and limiting evaporation.

The interest of this cut results in the fact of mow the lawn regularly, that is to say twice a week to be able to make always short cuts.

When to mulch?

From the beginning of spring, the first mowing resumes. Once the lawn has been mowed high with the grass catcher, then short, you can start mulching. Always operate when the lawn is dry. This technique does not prevent the lawn from being scarified if mosses are too present. In autumn, the last mowing will mulch the grass as well as the dead leaves which, once deposited, will protect and nourish your corner of greenery.

How to use the mulch?

Large amounts of grass clippings can feed the composter. Fresh or dried, they will enrich the compost. Also keep the mulch to create economic mulch. Indeed, you can put it fresh at the foot of the shrubshedges, vegetables or perennials.

What are the disadvantages of mulching?

The gardener will quickly realize this with mowing too close together so that the height is always short. Another downside is that the lawn will still need to be mowed once it has dried out because the shredded grass particles will stick and soak into the mower.

By dint of covering the lawn, mulching can cause the formation of thick thatch that can smother the lawn. Indeed, the layers will form on top of each other, without having time to decompose. This felting will cover the lawn and deprive it of light and D’air. You will therefore have to collect these clumps of blades of grass regularly.