How does mulching work?
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aron
The grass clippings left behind by a mulching mower essentially function as a lawn fertilizer, as if you were applying compost to the lawn. For this reason, it makes more sense for most urban and suburban homeowners to use a mulching mower, rather than bagging their grass clippings and dumping them in the compost pile. Essentially, mulching mowers eliminate the “middle-man,” namely, the compost pile, instead providing you with compost directly. This means less work for you.
The blades of mulching mowers are designed so as to leave behind finely shredded grass clippings. Such clippings can be left right where they fall, without causing harm to your grass. They do not contribute to thatch build-up; in fact, it may be hard to tell that they are even there. This can be a smart approach to mowing the lawn, but, if you choose this approach, remember to cut your grass at the right height.
John Wick
Mulching mowers are useful machines in caring for the lawn, but their purpose is not to provide “mulch” in the conventional sense. The clippings from mulching mowers are torn into tiny particles that, once they’re on the soil’s surface, are quickly broken down to release nutrients.
andrew
Mulching helps soil retain moisture by shading the earth and acting as a blanket. It means water can be stored more effectively in the ground, so the soil remains loose and will not dry out too quickly. Mulching also helps plants to grow by forming a protective layer against heavy rain and cold temperatures. Over time, plant matter used for mulching is broken down by earthworms and soil-dwelling organisms into valuable natural fertilizers and nutrients for plants.
Andrew Pel
In the case of mulching lawnmowers, the mulch consists of grass clippings from the mowed turfgrass. The clippings are cut into fine pieces that fall easily to the soil surface. There, they can be rapidly broken down by soil microorganisms, which release nutrients from the mulched plant material back into the soil.