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Mulch Mowing & Thatch

16 years ago

I finally decided to get the mulch kit for my John Deere Lawn Tractor. When I called my local John Deere Dealer he told me that mulch mowing would force me to dethatch once or twice a year and that it would slowly drown out the grass. From what I've read online, mulch mowing doesn't contribute to thatch build-up and is good for the lawn. Does this guy know what he's talking about it? Is mulch mowing the way to go?

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Comments (5)

bpgreen
16 years ago
Over watering and over fertilizing cause thatch. In most cases, not only does mulch mowing not contribute to the buildup of that, it contributes to the breakdown of thatch. I think there are some varieties of Zoysia grass that are the exception to this rule, but in most cases, mulch mowing helps keep thatch to a minimum.
decklap
16 years ago
Thatch isn't caused by grass clippings. Its caused
by dead roots and rhizomes that don't decompose
for a variety of reasons, mostly chemical.
If that layer of undecomposed material exists then
the clippings can make it worse if your soil is
really crap.
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Mulch Mowing & Thatch
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Comments (1)
He does not understand proper mulching. The grass is broken up into very small particles which decompose and return nitrogen to the soil. The mulch will also help control weeds and slow the loss of moisture from evaporation. Your lawn will be healthier for it. Thatch will normally build up from winter kill whether you mulch or bag.
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Bagless mowing without a mulching blade?
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Comments (12)
Since most blades turn in a direction that will cause the bolt holding the blade to tighten when the blade is spinning, you only need to tighten the bolt until it is snug. I have always been able to get the bolt loose with a 3/8" socket and 3/8" a bar. The only thing that over tightening the blade bolt will do is create a lot of magic words and some skinned knuckles Contrary to what many people do, I use a standard blade and blow the grass into the uncut areas. By the time you are finished there are no clumps on the yard except from the last passes across the lawn. I take care of them using the mower to get blow the clumps into the yard. I find this is just as effective as mulching I have a riding lawn mower. After I am done mowing I blow the grass from the deck, muffler, and other parts of the tractor. I then blow the garage, porches, driveway, and side walks clean. As I am doing this I blow any remaining clumps or grass into the yard.d
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Mulching grass = have to dethatch???
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Comments (15)
> Gary--are you using a mulching more or a regular mower? Yes, a mulching rear bagger with a spring loaded flipper. Another reason I do not mulch is that I have Merion Bluegrass. It is so easily diseased, I need to remove (sick) clippings. Merion is also prone to thatch simply because of the very high nitrogen it requires too.(@ 6lbs X 1000ft2 each year) It's a catch 22. Personally, I think my self-propelled mower travels too fast to mulch properly. Merion is so thick, that before the blades can get mulched fine, the machine is chomping forward for more. If I disengage the self propel, I do get my work out, making my doctor happy I guess! I was considering trying a Gator blade. Maybe then, my mulching would look better, but I'd still be contending with disease. Bestlawn will probably suggest that R word for my Merion :-)
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grayentropy
16 years ago
I agree with bpgreen but would add that frequent watering and short mowing contribute. Recycling grass helps to build the microherd and a healthy microherd can easily handle thatch build up.

Anyone can get a job selling lawnmowers, doesn't mean they know much about lawns.
bogey123
16 years ago
do you have a bagger for that JD tractor? If not, the mower man may have wanted you to buy one of those as they cost quite a bit more than the mulch kit.
okcdan
16 years ago
Bottom line.....the guy at the Deere dealer doesn't know squat about lawn care, he might know about the equipment he sells (that seems questionable) but what he told you about mulch mowing and thatch was just flat untrue.

I'd say there's no question, absolutely mulch.
There's a long list of reasons to mulch your grass clippings.

1) Grass clippings are 80% water and decompose quickly releasing nutrients into your soil.
2) Mulching provides up to 1/3rd of the lawnÂs yearly fertilizer needs providing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace amounts of micronutients.
3) Mulching reduces the amount of time you spend bagging and fertilizing.
4) Grass clippings donÂt cause thatch. (over watering and over fertilizing do)
5) Mulching reduces yard waste by 20-40%.
6) Mulching reduces the amount of water your lawn needs.

Good day! Dan

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