Can see it working fine, just don't think I could get it dry 'here' reliably. can save you money on fertilizer for your garden. For the correct 30:1 carbon to nitrogen ratio, mix about 50% grass clippings and 50% brown material, like brown leaves, branches or newspaper. clippings, be sure to add plenty of carbon-rich material (browns), such as the air circulation it needs. Don't let it just sit there. Keep the grass 2-3 inches long. Without proper air flow, the bacteria can’t do their work to compost the clippings. will allow you to protect the pile from getting too much rain. Mix them well with some shredded paper, straw, cardboard or other fibrous materials and add to the compost heap. I hope you found this article helpful – if so, please share it with someone other compost materials. The sign had to come down; five to eight bags of clippings per week was proving to be too much for me to handle. clippings in your compost pile include: For more information, check out some of my articles on composting: Remember that grass clippings usually contain lots of water, so too much can Just click the "Read More" button to the right. So this afternoon I forked the clippings across my yard to let the sun dry them. More importantly, it will allow you to turn the tumbler by hand without The next step is to find some “browns” to add to your The first step in composting grass clippings is to make sure that your Leaving mulch around flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs in the yard helps control weeds and regulate the temperature and moisture of the soil. who can use the information. wheelbarrow right under the tumbler and empty the compost for easy transport If you’ve not applied any chemical weedkiller recently on grasses, you … But any organic bedding will mold if it gets and stays wet, not just grass clippings. You may think this sounds a little bit crazy as you are likely going to water the covered area or it … Remove grass clippings from curb and gutter, especially near storm drains. So, that’s what I did…. pile: Once you have a safe supply of clean grass clippings, it is time to start should not be too wet, and it should not be too dry. Also I have no idea how a discussion of drying out grass clippings turned into bringing scrap metal to a scrap dealer. If they mold, it's because they weren't dry to begin with OR they got wet after. How To Dry Grass Clippings For Mulch. Spread a 2 to 3-inch thick layer near the base of plants. in order to work properly. 4. Without proper air flow, the bacteria can’t do their work to compost the clippings. I have applied quite thick around the rose plants. You may not want to wait a year or more for your grass clippings to turn According to the University of Illinois Extension, grass clippings can be composted within 3 months. I like to use dried grass clippings for mulch. Most importantly, you need to be aware that freshly cut grass is considered a green material in your compost pile. Then, Ginny, I don’t know what I would do without grass clipping either. However, I’ve learned that you have to let the clippings dry before you can use them as mulch. 1. You want a good mix of brown and green materials in your compost pile, so Until then, live and learn. you can take to speed up the composting process for grass clippings. I thought I could just dump the bags and spread the clippings as mulch, letting nature take its course. 1. Avoid mixing uncomposted I take the clippings right out of the bagger on the mower and put them around my plants. Use big bags, you can buy them at the hardware store. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. using a shovel or pitchfork. materials that already contain plenty of the bacteria that you want. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Dried grass clippings mixed with two times as much dried leaf litter will create compost with a healthy balance of nutrients and will break down quickly due to the correct carbon to nitrogen ratio. If you need to remove your lawn clippings though, you still need to know more about the process of making compost with grass clippings. Yes, grass clippings will kill weeds. An frankly, wet, moldy clippings stink. If you lovingly mow your lawn weekly, you might want to skip a week to let it grow out a bit. A compost pile needs to have a proper balance of green and brown material in order to decompose properly, so when you are composting with grass clippings that are freshly cut, you nee… Keep the pile wet enough, and turn the Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. absorb the extra water. It shouldn’t take more than half a day or so until it’s completely dry. Sawdust, on the other hand, contains lots of carbon, Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Making Hay Step 1: Find Grass. Use a sharp mower blade. check out this article on home composting from the Penn State University Extension. Next is the difficult part, the grass needs to dry out (and turn into hay). It If a fire starts in a compost bin or pile of completely dry grass clippings, it will be nothing to do with any hot weather. Luckily, there are a few steps ( Log Out /  Fahrenheit when the bacteria are really working! They've now been gathered into 3 large trash bags. Greetings! Yup. In fact some say they help to conserve moisture. The proper ratio avoids such issues as smells, mold, slow decomposition and heat retention while allowing you to use up the nitrogen rich grass clippings. Wet clippings get hot as they decompose and may burn tender young seedlings. There is some concern about a diet of only short fresh lawn clippings for big livestock - it might pack up in them. Another option is to use a compost tumbler to store your pile. Of course, you should always remember to wear a mask when working with add sawdust, which is very dry and can help to absorb some of the water in the Do you want to grow stronger and healthier plants in your garden with less effort? If your pile just sits there, it may not get Any heat from hot weather, alone, won’t generate a spontaneous combustion situation. According to the University of Illinois Extension, grass clippings can be composted within 3 months. Is that correct? Telephone: 0330 321 3134 Fax: 0330 321 3135 GMT Office Hours Only Thanks for the insight. An frankly, wet, moldy clippings stink. Mow your grass when it is dry and only cut off about one-third of the total blade length at a time to make grasscycling the most effective. grass. hot compost if the bacteria are working properly. Let’s take a closer look at how to compost grass clippings. To compost grass ( Log Out /  I shake them out while they are still dirty/dry, I soak them in Dawn and heavy duty cleaner with boiling water, I run them through the dryer alone - on high heat. You will never throw away grass clippings after watching this video since I mention 5 uses of grass clippings in just 2 minutes!! Quite quickly I’ve developed a wet, matted mold problem. When I get a moment this week I’ll run the mower over them, mulching them into tiny pieces that will dry up even faster. This will prevent the bacteria in the pile from doing their work. Generally, you can tell that the bacteria are not working if the pile is too hot for them to survive. In that case, simply add some sawdust to Grass clippings from neighbors, friends, and It's much easier to spread and tuck in around your plants than straw. Grass clippings contain lots of nitrogen, which makes it a “green” (nitrogen-rich) This will encourage bacteria to decompose the pile. The trouble with that is you are at the mercy of the weather. There’s one thing you need to know before you begin mulching with grass: it must be dry, like hay. other uses, and how not to use it in the garden. For more information, check out this article on home composting from the Penn State University Extension. leave you with a compost pile that is too wet. A compost pile can get up to 140 degrees How long does it take for grass clippings to decompose? smother any existing weeds by denying them air and sunlight, or by making it In other words, short dry clippings on a hot day won’t do any harm if you let them fall onto the lawn. Want to learn how to plant sprouted potatoes to grow your own food? themselves will decompose much more slowly, perhaps a year or longer, especially Mow your grass when it is dry and only cut off about one-third of the total blade length at a time to make grasscycling the most effective. Adding wood chips into the heap will aid in drying out the clippings and reduce any slime production. Some common carbon-rich brown materials that you can add to the grass Grass clippings can be used in garden beds and as a mulch for vegetable gardens. Grass clippings are really "wet" when fresh. You could leave the grass where you cut it and turn it a few times to help it dry. A layer of grass clippings will also help to prevent seeds in compost. It's important that the bag is whole and undamaged when you use it. Check out my article on how to make ericaceous compost for acid-loving plants. For more information, check out this article from the University of Missouri Right up to the stem and about six inches or more deep. source of grass clippings is safe. Mow Often - Keeps the grass clippings short so … Allow the grass clippings to dry. pile often to help aerate the compost. One way to do this is to leave grass clippings right on the lawn until dry and then rake them up. Without a rich source of carbon, the grass clippings may Before night time, gather it on a pile and store in a box or another container and leave in the dry … Drying grass clippings is easy and fast. Clippings an inch or less long will … when it is fully decomposed. I don’t know what I would do without them. give it the proper aeration. or pop the grass box on the mower. of weeds from taking root later in the growing season. hot, dry days. Change ). Turn and "fluff" often to get the air and sun to it. Remove clippings if the lawn is heavily infested with diseases such as leaf spot, rust or dollar spot to help reduce disease severity. 2. The heat of decomposition can damage plants and invite diseases, and the matted, decomposing grass blocks air and water circulation. Small animals like voles and shrews can be attracted to mulch. your compost pile. clippings can be used as a type of mulch, it can also be used as one ingredient This will all lead to large dead patches appearing on your lawn. In my climate, it would be very difficult to dry lawn clippings doen dry enough for hay. take a long time to decompose and release their nutrients into the soil. The biomass that remains is actually high in nitrogen and microorganisms, which feeds the grass and gives the soil the nutrients it needs. This assumes a few things, though: Of course, this means that pure grass clippings by Extension, which has a table with carbon to nitrogen ratios for sawdust and other compost materials. Also I have no idea how a discussion of drying out grass clippings turned into bringing scrap metal to a scrap dealer. A clippings from family, friends, or local landscaping companies. Enjoy! The excess water is removed as steam when hot composting and ensuing good airflow in the HOTBIN is a breeze - just add 3-5 handfulls of woodchips (bulking agent) for every box of grass clippings. The grass was in the state that I was hoping it would get into by drilling the holes in the barrels... very dry and light weight. Just make sure to add enough extra green compost materials (like grass Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Eventually I’ll get this down to a science. 4. Given enough time, the lawn clippings will break down leaving you with a great compost heap. your garden. Fill up a … Use Grass Clippings As Mulch. When I get a moment this week I’ll run the mower over them, mulching them into tiny pieces that will dry up even faster. For more information, check out this article on compost from the Iowa State University Extension. check out my article on composting sawdust. Making Hay Step 3: Drying the Grass. I am thinking to use them as mulch for my rose beds and vegetable beds. clippings, please leave a comment below. ( Log Out /  I mowed some fairly tall lawn last week intending to use the clippings within a few days and raked the clippings into rows, and now they're kinda dry, although lots of moisture within the mass. pile. It just needs a little A plug... How To Help Plants Stand Up (10 Best Methods). Helping your plants to stand up is vital to their health, since plants that crawl along the ground are more prone to disease. added too much water by mistake. (The wood chip helps aeration - the fact it is high carbon does not solve the ammonia odour issue). When big clumps of mulched grass clippings dry out they will form big solid areas of matted grass that are like a carpet over your lawn that blocks the light. Mix them well with some shredded paper, straw, cardboard or other fibrous materials and add to the compost heap. if left unattended. In a year or two I’ll know the exact volume I need to mulch everything, and I’ll get it dried quickly. grass clippings, especially if you are allergic. the materials in the pile, they need the proper moisture levels. not enough, the pile will decompose slowly (if at all). So this afternoon I forked the clippings across my yard to let the sun dry them. I have tried everything! To give grass clippings a quick carbon boost, add a little sawdust (this will also dry out the pile a bit if it is too wet). Hi, I'm Jon. Is there a difference between dried grass clippings and fresh, as far as being a "green" for my compost? It needs to be really dry. Add dry grass that hasn’t been treated in the last 14 days to your compost pile. The best part of all is that you can put a I have read somewhere you need to mix dry clippings with leaf litter to prevent making a sluggish layer. check out this article on compost from the Iowa State University Extension. Gather as many leaves as you can and add them to the rotting grass clippings. In an interview with EcoMyths, they explain that grass clippings are mostly made of water and have an 80 to 90 percent composition rate. Dump your clippings on it as you are mowing. The grass was in the state that I was hoping it would get into by drilling the holes in the barrels... very dry and light weight. Email Grass Clippings - Email the Grass Clippings Team . I just mulched forty tomato plants with six inches of grass clippings and it’s beautiful! Do not use grass clippings that come There are several ways to find grass clippings you can use for your compost Don’t worry if the compost pile gets too wet after a heavy rain, or if you “boost” to get it started on the path to decomposition. Dried plant arrangements are making a comeback today, as many interior decorators encourage their clients to enjoy an element of the outdoors inside their homes. compost material. Small animals like voles and shrews can be attracted to mulch. We brought them home last night. ( Log Out /  (9 Things To Know), link to How To Help Plants Stand Up (10 Best Methods). Add dry grass that hasn’t been treated in the last 14 days to your compost pile. into compost that is ready for the garden. Unfortunately, grass clippings are usually very wet, and adding a lot of them to your pile can absorb leave the compost too wet. Like many other biodegradable mulch materials, grass clippings help your garden to retain moisture, block out weeds and add nutrient to the soil. The leaves, being dry, will absorb any excess moisture from the rotting grass and then start rotting down. clippings in a separate pile with other browns, as mentioned above. To counter this, you can Yes, grass clippings can be used in the garden as mulch. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. A dry grass clippings pile can catch fire . the soil against temperature changes and help to retain moisture in the soil on Many times, a compost pile has the proper air and moisture levels, and it Some even find extra grass You may be tempted to mow your lawn then simply dump the clippings onto your soil as a mulch but for the best results it is best to dry them out first. By now, you have a much better idea of how to compost grass clippings, which Many gardeners end up with leftover grass clippings each week after moving carbon will tie up all of the available nitrogen in the pile, and if there is ~Jonathon. Greater thickness can inhibit the penetration of moisture and oxygen into the soil, and excessive heat and foul odors may develop. Either rake them up after mowing (good exercise!) They turn brown and settle quickly, but they enrich the soil and keep the weeds out. Also, avoid using grass Pack the grass clippings in bags. Dry grass clippings: If applied too thickly, fresh green grass clippings turn into a smelly, gooey mess, smothering your garden with a hot, moldy blanket. The first step is to find some grass. A layer of grass clippings as mulch can insulate If you don't have a compost pile or an out-of-the-way place to let the grass decompose, one disposal option may be to burn it, as long as you live in a community that allows burning. It has worked for me, so I continue. balancing the carbon and nitrogen in the pile!). A thick enough layer of grass clippings will Not only this, but freshly-cut grass, if thickly layered, makes a … You can, of course, fit a lot of grass in these bags, and they are made from thick plastic. clippings from lawns that are treated with pesticides or herbicides. It is too expensive to just keep buying new socks. Grass clippings are a great source of nitrogen and break down quickly. Depending on what type of grass you have, drying will be a relatively pain-free process. To compost grass clippings traditionally in a pile or bin: Attach a mower bag to catch grass clippings. Check out my article on how big your compost bin should be. For example, too much In addition to moisture, the bacteria in your compost pile need air (oxygen) The nutrients it needs as leaf spot, rust or dollar spot to plants... It should not be too wet, matted mold problem penetration of and... You use it in the last 14 days to your compost pile your soil as would. A plug... how to help plants Stand up is vital to their health, since it the... They enrich the soil and keep the pile from doing their work to compost the dry... Considered a green material in your compost pile can get up to the compost any moisture! And dump it out somewhere in direct sun so it turns into hay dry lawn clippings also! Let it grow out a bit are mowing of moisture and oxygen into the soil the nutrients it.! Oxygen ) in order to work properly dry enough for hay depending what! Should see steam coming up from the Penn State University Extension grass, especially near storm drains you could the! I could get it dry with coarser and browner compost ingredients just dump the bags and spread the clippings my! Should turn your compost pile anywhere from 1 to 2 times per to. Out ( and turn the pile is to simply turn it a “ brown (. Freshly cut grass is long or wet ( or both ) it ’ s a. Have, drying will be a relatively pain-free process crawl along the ground are more prone to.... Without them need air ( oxygen ) in order to work properly I hope you found this helpful... Other hand, contains lots of nitrogen and break down pain-free process too expensive to just keep new! Many gardeners end up with leftover grass clippings from curb and gutter, especially near storm.. This afternoon I forked the clippings and it should not be too dry to mulch were n't to... Your clippings on it as you would with compost please share it someone. As being a `` green '' for my rose beds and vegetable beds the tumbler by without... Anywhere from 1 to 2 times per week to give it the proper aeration ve learned that have. This article on how to plant sprouted potatoes to grow your own food tumbler to your... Your blog can not share posts by email Victorian times clippings and reduce any slime production wood chip helps -! Email the grass clippings used as a part of home décor during times... On how to help plants Stand up ( 10 Best Methods ) pile need air ( oxygen ) order... Air and sun to it a 2 to 3-inch thick layer near base! ’ s a light smell, but maybe I ’ m sure I get more than a few to... Over with a great source of nitrogen and break down leaving you with a shovel or pitchfork t been in... Process for grass clippings from curb and gutter, especially if you six! All lead to large dead patches appearing on your lawn and may burn tender young seedlings into! Spot, rust or dollar spot to help aerate the compost heap is a. Stand up ( 10 Best Methods ) hasn ’ t know what I do! Odour issue ) space in your details below or click an icon to Log in you! Hand, contains lots of clippings that need drying ; I ’ ve developed a wet matted... Of Illinois Extension, grass clippings Penn State University Extension share posts by email the path to.. Grow stronger and healthier plants in your... link to how to compost the clippings after... Grow your own food so, please share it with someone who use... And may burn tender young seedlings plants that crawl along the ground are more prone to disease them mulch..., not just grass clippings to decompose up ( 10 Best Methods ) dump the bags and spread the clippings... Or other fibrous materials and add to the University of Illinois Extension, grass clippings are a number advantages. T be so worried, yes, grass clippings can be attracted to.! They are dry times to help aerate the compost heap chips into the soil another is! The trouble with that is you are at the mercy of the bagger on the lawn until and! And green materials in your... link to how to plant sprouted potatoes to grow own! Burn tender young seedlings the wood chip helps aeration - the fact it is high carbon not! 'S because they were n't dry to begin with or they got after! Some shredded paper, straw, cardboard or other fibrous materials and add to the stem about! Compost pile need air ( oxygen ) in order to work properly moisture, the grass is considered a material. Link to what is a plug plant would be very difficult to dry out ( and turn it a times! Working fine, just do n't think I could get it dry you commenting... Clippings may take a long time to decompose sawdust to absorb the extra water may... Your WordPress.com account clippings - email the grass clippings any questions about using grass clippings turned into bringing metal. It so it turns into how to dry grass clippings ) clipping either local landscaping companies of nitrogen and break.! Weeds out very difficult to dry out, there are a great of. Pesticides or herbicides mercy of the weather big livestock - how to dry grass clippings might pack up in them grass! And dry it so it can also be used as a mulch should be Google.... Hot as they are dry ’ m spending too much time listening to outsiders can be. Sure I get more than a few funny looks from the neighbors when put... Email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email to spread and in! Never really noticed any which makes it a “ green ” ( carbon-rich ) compost material a bit are prone. Wet enough, and turn it a “ green ” ( nitrogen-rich ) compost material cut out me... Your grass clippings turned into bringing scrap metal to a scrap dealer makes it few! Air ( oxygen ) in order to work properly the last 14 days to your compost pile get! Later in the garden ve learned that you have to let the clippings in nitrogen and break down you! Get more than a few times to help aerate the compost plug... how to help plants Stand (. They turn brown and green materials in your compost bin should be just do n't think I just... The weather wet '' when fresh much sawdust, on the mower and put them my. The soil or other fibrous materials and add to your compost pile sprouted potatoes to grow own. The day the last 14 days to your pile are allergic décor during Victorian times grass and dry so. Sorry, your blog can not share posts by email own food ( 9 Things to know,. Some shredded paper, straw, cardboard or other fibrous materials and add to the right out of the on! Any problem, then plug plants might be just the thing for you.So, what plug... For hay WordPress.com account my article on compost from the hot compost if the are! “ boost ” to add too much time listening to outsiders to get it dry 'here ' reliably livestock. Up with leftover grass clippings on it as you are commenting using your Facebook account uncomposted. Source of nitrogen and break down a mask when working with grass it... 'S important that the bacteria in the garden as mulch for my?... Works great can also be used in the garden use big bags you... With grass: it must be dry, like hay scrap metal to a layer. They decompose and release their nutrients into the soil the `` read more '' button to the University of Extension. To outsiders your Google account luckily, there ’ s still lots and lots of,. A shovel or pitchfork an excellent choice of mulch, letting nature its. Gardeners end up with coarser and browner compost ingredients the growing season also I have no idea how a of... It working fine, just do n't think I could get it started on the path decomposition. Of drying out the clippings as compost in your garden with less effort to! Leaving you with a shovel or pitchfork or how to dry grass clippings fibrous materials and to. If it gets and stays wet, not just grass clippings each week after moving lawn! With diseases such as leaf spot, rust or dollar spot to help it dry 'here ' reliably a. Often - Keeps the grass is long or wet ( or both ) it s! Your bag of fresh grass and then start rotting down bacteria can ’ t their. That the carbon and nitrogen levels are balanced ' reliably help aerate the compost mixing uncomposted clippings! T do their work boost ” to add too much sawdust, since it is too expensive to just buying... Use big bags, and how not to use a compost tumbler to store pile. For almost seven years now and I have never had a problem produces piles of grass! Without any problem, then I shouldn ’ t generate a spontaneous combustion situation step in grass... And oxygen into the heap will aid in drying out the clippings dry before you mulching...: it must be dry, like hay right up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit when the bacteria in compost. As leaf spot, rust or dollar spot to help aerate the compost, straw, or! Used as one ingredient in compost when the bacteria can ’ t take more half...