Make The Most Of Your Grass Clippings

If you've been following this blog, then you know I love a bargain and there isn't any better bargain than free and readily available. If you have  a lawn, then you have an abundance of grass clippings. For heavens sake, don't just throw them away - you can put them to good use around the garden.

First, be sure to leave some on the lawn as decomposing grass clippings will put nutrients back in the soil which will keep your lawn looking better. At least once a month, don't bag your clippings but let them lie on the lawn. Maybe it's not as manicured that way but your lawn will be healthier for it.

Second, put them in your compost bin. What? You don't have a compost bin? You need to have a compost bin. American's in general throw away tons of food every year and then we gardeners go and buy bagged compost to put on our gardens. It just doesn't make any sense. If you have your own compost bin, it will cut way down on your garbage and will provide free compost for your gardens. Just be sure to keep out any animal by-products so your compost pile won't stink.

Third, use it as mulch in your vegetable gardens. Mulch like straw and wood chips is too heavy to use around fragile seedlings but grass clippings are a great way to retain moisture in the soil, keep weeds down and provide nutrients to the new plants. Win-win-win.

Finally, if you're getting into lasagna gardening, and you should at least consider it, grass clippings make a great free layer of bio mass to include. It's really a no brainer.

What do you do with your grass clippings? I've heard they also make a great feed for chickens and rabbits. Feel free to post your ideas in the comments below.