HOW TO LEAVE CLIPPINGS ON THE LAWN

• Mow grass when it is between 3 inches and 4 inches tall. Mowing grass when it is taller gives your lawn a healthier root system.

• Don't cut off more than one-third of the grass blade in any one mowing.

• Never cut off more than an inch at a time. If grass is too long and lush, mow over clippings a second time to further shred them, or raise your mower height and gradually lower it over a span of several mowings.

• Cut grass when it is dry. Avoid mowing wet grass, since wet clippings mass together.

• Use a sharp mower blade. Dull mowers use more gasoline, and can give the lawn a frayed appearance. Generally, mower blades should be sharpened twice a year.

• Minimize fertilizer applications in the spring, when grass growth is heavy and wet.

GENERAL LAWN CARE TIPS

By following these general lawn care tips, you can avoid excessive grass blade growth (and conserve water at the same time). This will mean less stress on your lawn and will make it easier to leave clippings on the lawn.

• Lawns require one inch of water per week in the growing season—including rainfall. Additional watering is only required when temperatures stay consistently above 80°F.

• If temperatures stay in the 90°F for three or more days, lawns require a total of 2 inches of water per week, applied at the rate of a half inch every other day.

• Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation. Avoid watering in the evening, because a lawn that remains damp during the night is more prone to disease.

• Use a slow-release or natural organic fertilizer and do not over-fertilize.

• Rapid spring grass blade growth can and should be avoided by not applying fertilizer at this time of year. Top dressing with compost and fall application of fertilizer will help root growth and should produce a spring green-up without excessive growth.

• Spread fertilizer in two applications per year, the first in September or October, the second in November. Do not exceed 3 pounds of nitrogen per year.

OTHER USES FOR CLIPPINGS

mulch: Collect clippings and use as mulch around plants and shrubs. Apply a one-inch layer of clippings to reduce water evaporation, eliminate weeds, and enrich the soil. Do not place mulch directly against trunks and stems. See the "beyond the basics" guide to mulching.

backyard compost: Add clippings to your compost pile; they are an excellent source of nitrogen (see information on fertilizing). Clippings should be mixed thoroughly with a greater volume of leaves or old compost. See the "quick-start" guide to backyard composting.

"LEAVE IT ON THE LAWN" CALENDAR

WINTER

• Avoid walking on your lawn; wet and soggy turf is more subject to damage. If you walk on your lawn when it's wet, you can permanently harm the soil structure.

• Have your mower tuned up before the spring rush. Make sure blades are sharp and properly balanced.

• If you are in the market for a new mower, consider a rechargeable, electric mulching mower. They are quiet and reduce air pollution.

SPRING

• Hold off on fertilizing until September or October, so that grass won't grow excessively in the spring.

• Have your soil tested. Do not use lime until you know from the soil test how much lime your lawn needs, if any at all.

• Mowing height should be set to 3 inches. Mowing high reduces plant stress, making grass less susceptible to diseases.

• Avoid removing more than the top third of the grass blade, or mowing when the grass is wet.

• If grass clippings are clumpy or unsightly, mow over them a second time, scatter grass clippings with a blower or rake, or collect them and add them to your compost pile.

• Do not water your lawn (unless re-seeding) until temperatures stay consistently in the 80°F and/or rainfall drops off to less than one inch per week.

SUMMER

• Keep mowing height high—3 inches or more, especially in hot, dry weather.

• Lawns need a total of one inch of water per week—this includes rainfall. Set out an empty tuna fish or cat food can to gauge. When the can is full, this is one inch of rainwater.

• If temperatures stay in the 90°sF for more than three days, lawns need 2 inches of water per week. Apply one-half inch every other day.

• For best results, water early in the morning—before 9 am.

• Follow drought-watering guidelines if restrictions are in effect. Your lawn may go dormant (turn brown) but it will green up as soon as rainfall increases and cooler temperatures return.

FALL

• Fertilize. Use a slow-release, organic fertilizer formulated for fall application. This may be applied anytime from September through November.

• Continue to mow at 3 inches minimum. Mulch the early fall leaves right back into your lawn.

• Re-seed, if necessary. Consult with an authorized dealer to choose quality seed that best suits the conditions of your home environment. Top dress with a quarter inch of compost—avoid peat moss.

• Use the bag attachment on your mower to collect shredded leaves for your mulch or compost pile.