Introduction

By following these simple procedures you can use your grass clippings to help maintain a beautiful lawn you can be proud of for years to come.

Authors:

Zac Reicher and Clark Throssell
Purdue University Turfgrass Specialists

Rosie Lerner
Department of Horticulture 

Why Return the Clippings?

  • Recycles valuable nutrients
  • Reduces the need for fertilizer inputs
  • Does not increase thatch
  • Reduces time spent mowing
  • Reduces community disposal costs
  • Saves diminishing landfill space
  • Most Indiana landfills will not accept yard wastes after Sept. 30, 1994

Mowing:

  • Mow often, preferably when grass blades are dry.
  • Never mow off more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at one time.
  • Keep the mower blade sharp.
  • Mow as high as possible for your turf species.
Grass species and maintenance and mowing height
Species Maintain at this height Mow when grass reaches this height
Kentucky bluegrass 2.5 in. 3.5 in.
perennial ryegrass 2.5 3.5
tall fescue 3.0 4.0
zoysia 1.0 1.5

Irrigating (for established turf)

  • Water deeply and infrequently.
    Water thoroughly to wet the soil to a depth of six inches and do not water again until you see signs of drought stress. Drought stress appears as bluish-gray areas of grass or footprints that remain in the grass for an extended period.
  • Water early in the morning (4 to 9:00 a.m.) to help reduce disease problems.
  • Let the grass and the weather determine the watering schedule.

Fertilizing

  • For cool season species like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue, 2/3 of yearly nitrogen should be applied in the fall!!
  • Do not apply heavy applications of nitrogen in the early spring!!!
  • When fertilizing in May or July, use a slow release fertilizer containing sulfur-coated urea, urea formaldehyde, natural organic, or some other slowly soluble nitrogen source.
  • Follow the table for fertilizer guidelines. One or two applications of fertilizer per year is for low maintenance lawns. Three or more applications are recommended for an attractive, high quality lawn.
Fertilizer guidelines
Applications/yr Timing lb. Nitrogen/1000 ft2
1 Sep. 1.0
2 Sep. + Nov. 1.0+1.5
3 Sep. + Nov. + May 1.0+1.5+1.0
4 Sep. + Nov. + May + July (for irrigated lawns) 1.0+1.5+1.0+0.75