Grasscycling Myths
Myth #1 - Grasscycling causes thatch
Thatch is an accumulation of dead roots and stems most often caused by over-watering or over- fertilizing. Grass clippings decompose quickly and do not cause thatch.
Research has shown that grass roots are the primary cause of thatch, not grass clippings. Thatch is composed mainly of roots, stems, rhizomes, crowns and stolons. These plant materials contain large amounts of lignin and decompose slowly. Grass clippings are approximately 80-85 percent water with only small amounts of lignin, and decompose rapidly. Some grasses such as Bermuda grass and kikuyu grass are more thatch-prone than others.
A small amount of thatch (approximately 1/2 inch) is actually beneficial to a lawn, providing insulation to roots and serving as a mulch to prevent excessive water evaporation and soil compaction. It may also create a cushioning effect for lawn play.
- Rhizomes - An underground, horizontal plant stem that produces shoots above and roots below, and is distinguished from a true root in possessing buds, nodes, and usually scale-like leaves.
- Crowns - The junction of root and stem, usually at the level of the ground.
- Stolons - A horizontal stem at or just below the surface of the ground that roots at the nodes and produces new plants. Also called "runners."
- Lignin - A complex polymer, the chief non-carbohydrate constituent of wood that binds to cellulose fibers and hardens and strengthens the cell walls of plants.
Myth #2 - Grasscycling spreads lawn disease
Watering, fertilization and mower blade sharpness have much more influence on the occurrence of lawn disease than grasscycling.Improper watering and fertilizing are the primary cause of disease spread. If an accommodating environment for turf grass disease is present, infestation will occur whether clippings are collected or not.
Factors involved with lawn disease include: improper watering and maintenance, unsuitable grass seed varieties, and poor soil conditions.
Myth #3 - Clippings will be unsightly
Cut properly, clippings are virtually unnoticeable. Almost all grasscyclers find their clippings decompose within 3 days after cutting, particularly when a lawn is mowed regularly and clippings are not left in clumps. Slightly longer breakdown times will occur later in the growing season as temperatures and the moisture content of clippings decline.If a lawn is properly mowed, watered, and fertilized, grasscycling can actually produce a healthier-looking lawn. It is important to cut the lawn frequently to produce small clippings that will fall between the standing blades and decompose quickly. However, if a lawn is not cut frequently enough and long clippings are left on the lawn, it may produce a "hay-like" look that can be unsightly.