Do not throw away cut grass

We all know that cut grass is not just waste that must be thrown away. It has many additional uses. If you are an ornamental lawn enthusiast (or simply have grass growing on your property), then you can take advantage of it and use this valuable stuff. So, read this article and get inspired – before you mow your lawn.

Composting bed

You probably already know that cut grass belong in the composter. You are right but…well, not each time you mow your lawn. Simply because you can only add a certain amount of grass to the composter – you must layer it with other organic materials and that may be a problem because grass tend to grow fast, especially when it rains a lot and you have a limited space in your composter. So what about the extra grass?Try creating a composting bed! It has several advantages. You get rid of all the extra cut grasswhile providing nutrients for veggies and plants that you will plant in the composting bed. Grass decomposes rather quicky in the soil.

Photo: Pixabay

How to create a composting bed?

You can start making your composting bed in autumn, or even in spring. You need to put a base layer of soil (not higher than 15 cm),on well-permeable soil surface. Then you create a layer of cut grass (again no higher than 15 cm) on the top of this base layer. Sprinkle soil on the grass layer. Try to mix both layers so that the grass leaves and blades are nicely spaced. Proper layering prevents rotting. Continue making these layers until you reach the desired height of the bed. The grass will decompose so the height of the bed will be slightly lower than what you have at the beginning.

Growing veggies in your composting bed

You may start growing in May. You should chosevegetables that needplenty of nutrients such as cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes orpumpkins.

Grass mulch

Another way to use cut grass is to make mulch. If you want to add mulch on vegetable beds you can do so, but make sure thatthe mulch layer is no higher than 5 cm. If you go higher various vapours can start condensing andtoo much humidity promotes rotting. Using grass mulch offers all the advantages as the regular mulch: soil does not heat up, moist vaporization is reduced and weed growth is suppressed and finally, the gradual decomposition creates plenty of nutrients for your plants.

Preview photo: Radek Štěpán