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Florida Gardening

Mowed Grass Clippings In Potted Plants... Okay Or Remove It?

8 years ago

I have many potted plants and nothing in the ground because I rent. My rent includes gardeners that come every 4-6 wks to mow, edge and blow. They always blow tons of clippings into all my potted plant and I try to rake it out with my fingers each time. I'm wondering if I should just leave it and put a little soil on top. Are these grass cuttings okay for the potted plants ( supplying nutrients) or bad ( rotting grass ) What do you think? Thanks!

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Comments (5)

Michael AKA Leekle2ManE
8 years ago
The grass clippings themselves are fine for the potted plants. What would be an issue is any weed seeds blown into the pots as well. The clippings will eventually and slowly break down, but not nearly like they would in a compost bin/pile. Adding a few worms to each pot could accelerate the breaking down of the grass. Another issue that might be of concern to some is that if the grass is sprayed with herbicides or fertilizers. Those would end up in the soil of your pots as well, something especially concerning if you are growing edibles. I have mulched a few pots in the past with grass and aside from having to pick through a batch of sprouting weeds, I have yet to run into any real problems.
Mia Miami thanked Michael AKA Leekle2ManE
Mia Miami
Original Author
8 years ago
Great info. Thanks!
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Just like anything else, in moderation mulch mowing is OK. And it also depends on the grass. If you fertilize and mow somehting like bermuda or zoysia a zillion times a week where the clippings do not decompose quickly and rain will wash in to piles. Said piles become a suitable topdressing or growing medium for the grass making the lawn uneven. And regardless of what grass you ahve if you go too long between mowings and wind up with huge gobs of wet grass just piled on top of your lawn then you did a bad thing. For most of America who grows Tall FEscue or Rye these aren't huge worries and mulch mowing could be used in conjunction with good cultural practices to maintain a health lawn and happier world. G'day.
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MG potting mix is good stuff, I grow a couple tomatoes in it each year. I tend to use cheaper brands though unless it's on sale, or buy a bag of each and mix. Plants can certainly grow in half-composted material - look up lasagne gardening. Your idea could work, although you might not need the tubs. Why not just dig a hole, fill it with a good topsoil/compost mix and plant in that? Is your goal to eventually level this area? If so you'll need soil, not just organic matter or potting mix. What's going to happen to the tubs of potting mix at the end of the season? If you leave the stuff there it will continue to decompose and shrink and your slope will still be there. That's why I'd suggest some topsoil and not just 100% organic matter. But if you're not trying to eventually have a level, raised bed there, it doesn't matter as much.
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katkin_gw
8 years ago
For years we mowed our lawn with a mower with a grass catcher and put the grass in my veggie garden to use as mulch. It would rot and made wonderful black soil with worms. But weeds seeds would sprout sometimes if the grass wasn't heavy enough. Be careful not to get it too heavy or too close to the plant cause it can heat up and kill it. :o)
Mia Miami
Original Author
8 years ago
good info! thanks!
laura1
8 years ago
another thought...I've had this happen: wet grass gets blown on the plants and sticks. Looks bad and a big mess. Hopefully you won't have that problem.

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