Question


   Is it good or not good to attach a mulching

   capability to my mower, and leave the

   cuttings on the lawn, to elimimnate bagging

   and or raking?  This will include leaves

   in the fall from two large maple trees.  

      The lawn gets lots of sun, and only

   natural rain fall for watering.  I am on a

   well, not a city water supply.  I cut to

   approximately three(3) inches.

                        Thank you

                        Charlie Sladky
                        Lisbon,  Connecticut


Answer
Good afternoon Charlie:
The two most important facets of mowing are mowing height and frequency. The minimum height for any lawn is 2 inches (5.08 cm). The preferred mowing height for all cool season grasses is 2 1/2 to 3 inches (6.35 to 7.62 cm). Mowing to less than 2 inches (5.08 cm) can result in decreased drought and heat tolerance and higher incidence of Insects, diseases and weeds. Mow the lawn at the same height all year. You are doing great to cut at 3 inches.
Mow the turf often enough so no more than 1/3 of the grass height is removed at any single mowing. If your mowing height is 2 inches (5.08 cm), mow the grass when it is 3 inches (7.62 cm) tall. You may have to mow a bluegrass or fescue lawn every three to four days during the spring when it is actively growing but only once every seven to 10 days when growth is slowed by heat, drought or cold.
If weather or another factor prevents mowing at the proper time, raise the height of the mower temporarily to avoid cutting too much at one time. Cut the grass again a few days later at the normal mowing height.
Let grass clippings fall back onto the lawn, unless they are used for composting or mulching elsewhere in the landscape. Grass clippings decompose quickly and provide a source of recycled nutrients and organic matter for the lawn. Mulching mowers can do this easily. Side-discharge rotary mowers also distribute clippings effectively if the lawn is mowed at the proper frequency. So as long as you mow your lawn frequently, removing no more than one third of the grass blade at each mowing, you do not need a mulching attachment. Grass clippings do not contribute to thatch accumulation. If herbicides are applied to the lawn, do not use clippings in the vegetable or flower gardens. Keep them on the lawn.
During the season, regularly check mowing equipment for sharpness and adjustment.
Sharpen rotary mower blades every fourth mowing, especially when mowing fescue or ryegrass lawns. A dull mower blade will shred and fray leaf blades instead of cutting them cleanly. The result is a brown, unattractive lawn.
I would not recommend that you use your mower to shred maple leaves back into your lawn.
That will, over time, create a mat of shredded leaves that may create a mold condition over the winter months. Maple leaves do not contribute nitrogen back into the soil as the green grass blades do. The leaves should either be raked up or picked up with a mower bagging attachment and composted. Try to keep your lawn as litter free as possible over winter.

Have a good lawn.
Floyd McMahon