Regular mowing keeps the lawn healthy and in shape. However, there is a lot of clippings, especially in larger gardens. Many garden owners dispose of this valuable material in the bio bin. It's actually too good for that, because it can be used wonderfully as a mulch layer under hedges.

Lawn clippings are free mulch

What are the advantages of mulching the hedge?

This measure makes hedge care noticeably easier and offers numerous advantages:

  • The grass clippings rot under the plants and thus represent a high-quality, organic fertiliser.
  • The grass clippings mulch keeps sunlight off the ground, inhibiting the growth of competing vegetation.
  • The protective cover has a compensatory function: the earth stays cool longer when it is hot and drying out is reduced.
  • In winter, the soil organisms are protected.

How is grass cuttings mulched?

Lawn clippings should be spread thinner than other mulching materials. The reason: If you spread the clippings in too thick a layer, the very damp material will stick together and can rot. Therefore, spread this mulch material under the bushes no more than two to five centimeters thick.

Alternatively, you can let the green waste dry for a few days. The mulch layer under the trees should still be loosened from time to time.

Mix grass clippings with mulching materials

If the hedge plants have increased nutrient requirements, you can mix the material with other plant residues in a targeted manner:

  • Grass clippings are relatively high in nitrogen. If you add chaff or leaves, the better ventilation not only prevents rot, but the shrubs also get exactly those nutrients they need for healthy growth.
  • Straw contains carbon and is also good for mixing with grass clippings.

Doesn't the clippings under the hedge get messy?

Freshly applied, this mulch material glows a bright green and is even more attractive than the bare earth under the bushes. Even if the lawn dries up a bit and turns brown as a result, the mulch layer looks cleaner than soil, from which weeds are growing in various places.

tips

Under no circumstances should you use seed-bearing grass clippings as mulch.

Category:

Garden design