A mulching lawn mower makes annoying grass clippings practically disappear.
Types of Lawn Mowers
There are two main types of lawn mowers: Rotary and reel.
Mulching mowers are a modification of traditional rotary mowers and are becoming more common.
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A mulching mower captures the grass clippings with the help of a mild vacuum under the mower deck.
The clippings move around the whirling blades, where they are minced into tiny pieces.
Then, the tiny clippings drop onto the lawn below the deck, where they decompose.
Mulching Mower Types
Mulching mowers are available as riding, push, and self-propelled models.
The power source is an important consideration, as mulching mowers are available in electric or gas models.
Electric models can mow one-third acre or smaller lawns on a single charge.
Larger lawns demand a gas model if you want to mow the entire lawn at one time.
Look for a gas mulching mower with a 140 cubic centimeter engine for strong performance.
Tips for Using a Mulching Lawn Mower
Good mowing practices maximize the benefits of a mulching mower.
Dont expect a mulching mower to cut overly tall grass and then mince the long clippings into mulch.
The blades get a workout chopping the clippings multiple times; theyll benefit from regular sharpening.
Wait to mow until the grass is thoroughly dry.
Check your turfs actual nutrient needs with a soil test before applying any additional fertilizer product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mulching clippings and returning them to the lawn is the best move.
The clippings will decompose and add nutrients to the soil.
Thatch is a buildup of dead and living organic matterbetween the top of the soil surface and the grass.
Grass clippings rarely contribute to the thatch layer because they decompose too quickly to become thatch.
