For years, homeowners have been told to pick up the clippings from the lawnmower and get rid of them. I’ve seen people pick up their full, heavy grass catchers on the back of their lawn mowers when full and toss those clippings either into green waste bins or their compost piles. I've often wondered why they’re working so much harder, what with the new technology manufacturers have wrought. This has resulted in backaches, tired knees, and “blue clouds” uttered when dumping those contraptions out when full.
News flash: leaving the trimmings on the lawn does wonders for those grass plants. The trimmings act as a natural fertilizer for lawns IF they are not piled up on the lawn and are short enough to slip between the grass blades. As they break down, they feed beneficial microbes, and they also help add structure to the lawn.
Lawn grasses suffer natural nutrient loss through cutting, which is why fertilizers need to be applied to lawns. Leaving the clippings on the lawn reverses this process by acting as a fast-decomposing source of organic matter that provides nutrients to the soil. Microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, help break down the clippings and help release Nitrogen into the soil as well as small amounts of phosphorus, potassium, and other micronutrients. By doing this, clippings can feed the microbiome and cycle nutrients efficiently back into the soil.
Clippings left on the lawn after mowing also help the soil retain moisture, especially during hot weather, by acting as a thin, natural mulch.
Properly mulched grass clippings can also help suppress light weed growth. When left in a thin, even layer, they cover exposed soil and reduce the sunlight that weed seeds need to germinate. I used this method to remove weeds growing in a shady area along the side yard, and it worked perfectly.
If you have qualms about leaving clippings on your lawn, invest in a mulching blade for your lawnmower. There are many that will fit most lawn mowers, are reasonably priced, and make sure that the clippings are not too long OR will not leave “unsightly” piles on the lawn. Trust me, your back will love you!