- What is mulching and what is side discharge?<\/a><\/li>
- Mulching pros and cons<\/a><\/li>
- Side discharge pros and cons<\/a><\/li>
- When to mulch vs. when to side discharge<\/a><\/li>
- FAQs about mulching vs. side discharge<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is mulching and what is side discharge?<\/span><\/h2>
While mulching and side discharge both leave clippings on your lawn, how they handle this is what makes them different.<\/p>
Mulching your grass clippings <\/strong>involves chopping up the grass clippings into tiny pieces as you mow. Then, they fall onto the grass. This is possible because the grass clippings are kept under the mower deck for a longer period of time. So to mulch effectively, you\u2019ll need a closed mower deck or a cover for any chutes.<\/p>
Side discharge<\/strong>, on the other hand, spits out the grass clippings from the side of the mower as you mow. They are usually ejected several feet away.<\/p>
Let\u2019s go over the pros and cons of mulching first, then we\u2019ll move on to the pros and cons of side discharge.<\/p>
Mulching pros and cons<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Senior](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/mulching-autumn-leaves-1500428155mPp-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Linnaea Mallette<\/a> | PublicDomainPictures.net | CC0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> \u2713 Pro: Free nutrients for your lawn<\/span><\/h3>
The number one reason most homeowners would want to mulch their lawn clippings is for the free nutrients. As mentioned above, grass clippings return nutrients to the lawn as they decompose. Mulching grass clippings<\/a> helps because the tiny pieces of grass are easier to break down and get down into the soil where they decompose.<\/p>
\u2713 Pro: Faster than bagging<\/span><\/h3>
Mulching is also faster than bagging. You cut down on the time needed to mow your lawn because you don\u2019t have to stop to replace the bag and haul off the bag of grass once the grass catcher is full. If you want to learn more about how bagging grass clippings holds up to mulching, read our article here: Bagging vs. Mulching Grass Clippings<\/a>.<\/p>
\u2713 Pro: Safer than side discharge<\/span><\/h3>
Mulching lawn mowers are generally safer than side discharge, too. They\u2019re less likely to hurl rocks out at fast speeds because of their closed decks. It\u2019s still not ideal to hit a rock with your mower, but at least you don\u2019t have to worry about the rock shooting out and breaking anything or injuring anyone.<\/p>
\u2713 Pro: Clippings look cleaner<\/span><\/h3>
Homeowners who mulch their lawn clippings are less likely to have the clippings sit on top of their grass, making an unsightly mess. The smaller clippings are harder to see, even more so when they get down to the base of your turfgrass.<\/p>
\u2717 Con: Not as clean of a cut<\/span><\/h3>
However, don\u2019t think that mulching is automatically more aesthetically pleasing compared to side discharge. Some homeowners complain that mulching results in a less clean cut, at least compared to side discharge. Mulching mower blades cut slower than a side discharge mower.<\/p>
\u2717 Con: Slower mow than side discharge<\/span><\/h3>
Since the blades cut slower, mulching while mowing also takes longer than side discharge. You have to mow slower because you want the mulched grass clippings to be spread evenly across your lawn. Going too fast will result in clumps of grass you\u2019ll need to spread. It also strains the mower because it\u2019ll have to mulch a larger volume of grass clippings.<\/p>
\u2717 Con: Mower deck gets dirtier faster<\/span><\/h3>
Unlike side discharge, mulching keeps clippings under the mower deck so they can be cut up into tiny pieces. This combined with the fact that a mulching mower doesn\u2019t expel clippings several feet away means that the mower deck gets caked with grass much easier, especially if the grass clippings are wet and long.<\/p>
\u2717 Con: Can\u2019t mow tall or wet grass<\/span><\/h3>
But all of that may pale in comparison to the fact that mulching isn\u2019t ideal if you have wet and overgrown grass. Mulching mowers struggle to cut tall grass. Wet grass will clump together, so your mower may spit out clumps of grass \u2013 if it doesn\u2019t choke, anyway.<\/p>
Side discharge pros and cons<\/span><\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AdobeStock_113298116-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: danimages<\/a> | Adobe Stock | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Pro: Fastest way to deal with clippings<\/span><\/h3>
If you don\u2019t have a lot of time on your hands, side discharge may be the better option for you. Side discharge is the fastest way to mow <\/strong>and deal with clippings. You don\u2019t have to bag as you mow or wait for your mower to mulch the clippings. <\/p>
You also don\u2019t have to worry about distributing the lawn clippings evenly<\/strong> as long as you mow at a steady pace.<\/p>
\u2713 Pro: Cuts cleanly even if grass is wet or overgrown<\/span><\/h3>
Side discharge is also better if you need to mow an overgrown lawn or a wet one (although we don\u2019t recommend it, check this article for why: Ways You\u2019re Accidentally Damaging Your Lawn<\/a>). Long or wet grass clippings are less likely to clog <\/strong>with side discharge; the force the mower exerts is strong enough to expel grass clumps, and they do not stay under the deck of the mower.<\/p>
\u2713 Pro: Stripes better than if you mulched<\/span><\/h3>
Lawn stripe lovers are going to love side discharge, too. The clean cut you get with side discharge stripes better compared to the cut you get when you mulch. (Read our guide on How to Stripe Your Lawn<\/a> if you want to learn more.)<\/p>
\u2717 Con: Sends grass clippings and debris into unwanted places<\/span><\/h3>
Side discharge does have its downsides. It can send your grass clippings into places you don\u2019t want them to be in, like your walls, driveways, sidewalks, flower beds, the road, or even your neighbor\u2019s yard. You might even get fined for littering if you leave them on the road.<\/p>
Side discharge will shoot out anything<\/strong> that gets under the mower, including rocks and other debris. This debris can hit something \u2013 or worse, someone \u2013 and break (or injure) them.<\/p>
You do have options for controlling where your grass clippings get chucked, though. Here are some ways to manage discharge:<\/p>
- Operator-controlled discharge chutes (OCDC) <\/strong>can stop the discharge chute from shooting grass for a short while.<\/li>
- Chute blocks or block-off plates <\/strong>temporarily block off the side discharge chute. You can also allow the grass clippings to be discharged closer to the mower by changing the angle of the chute block.<\/li>
- You can also just change the direction where you mow <\/strong>to prevent the mower from discharging grass into unwanted places.<\/li> <\/ul>
You also can consider rear discharge<\/strong>, which spews grass clippings from the back of the mower. It is generally better if you have a small yard with lots of landscaping, but it\u2019s not as good against tall and wet grass.<\/p>
\u2717 Con: Larger clippings are messier and decompose slower<\/span><\/h3>
Side discharge is not the best way to deal with lawn clippings if you want them to break down on your lawn. Long grass clippings decompose slower <\/strong>than smaller ones, and they won\u2019t break down at all if they sit on top of the grass.<\/p>
Aesthetically speaking, side discharge may be worse when it comes to the clippings themselves. Long grass clippings will be more visible and are more likely to sit on top of grass.<\/p>
When to mulch vs. when to side discharge<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/lawnmower-6254638_1280-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: pasja1000<\/a> | Pixabay | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Given the pros and cons of mulching and side discharge, we can figure out when it\u2019s better to use each method.<\/p>
When you mulch your grass clippings, they fall on your lawn. The smaller clippings get down into the soil faster, so they break down quickly and nurture your lawn. However, you have to dedicate more time to mowing, both because mulching while mowing takes longer and because you have to mow more often. This may not be ideal during your lawn\u2019s peak growing season.<\/p>
Basically, you\u2019ll want to mulch if you:<\/strong><\/p>
- Have a small yard<\/li>
- Have a lot of free time to mow<\/li>
- Can mow often<\/li>
- Want a healthier lawn<\/li> <\/ul>
On the other hand, you have side discharge which is the fastest way to handle grass clippings. It also trims your lawn neatly, even if it\u2019s wet or overgrown. However, it won\u2019t return as many nutrients to your yard, plus it can be messy if you have a smaller space.<\/p>
So, you\u2019ll want to use side discharge if you:<\/strong><\/p>
- Have a large yard<\/li>
- Don\u2019t have a lot of time to mow<\/li>
- Have a lot of rain in your area<\/li>
- Like to mow your grass when it\u2019s tall<\/li> <\/ul>
The good news is that you don\u2019t have to choose between just mulching or just side discharge. Most modern lawn mowers can do both \u2013 some can even bag, too. You also can buy attachments (usually mulching kits) to add that functionality to your current mower. <\/p>
If you are<\/em> looking the perfect mower, take a look at our reviews of the best lawn mowers<\/strong> on the market:<\/p>
- Best Lawn Mowers<\/a><\/li>
- Best Lawn Mowers for Big Yards<\/a><\/li>
- Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards<\/a><\/li>
- Best Mulching Lawn Mowers<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
FAQs about mulching vs. side discharge<\/span><\/h2>
Should I even leave clippings on the lawn?<\/span><\/h3>
Both mulching and side discharge are excellent ways to grasscycle. Grasscycling is when you leave yard clippings on your lawn so they return nutrients back into the soil for your grass to use. According to the Michigan State University Extension Service<\/a>, grasscycling can return as much as 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet <\/strong>of lawn, reducing the need to fertilize.<\/p>
If you\u2019re worried about grass clippings worsening thatch production, then we have good news for you. Many experts stress that grass trimmings break down too fast for them to significantly contribute to lawn thatch. <\/p>
\u201cLong clippings may contain wiry stem material that is slower to decompose, but are still not significant contributors to thatch buildup,\u201d says the University of Minnesota Extension<\/a>.<\/p>
When should I not leave clippings on the lawn?<\/span><\/h3>
Here are the times when you should not leave yard clippings on your lawn:<\/p>
- Your lawn is sick. <\/strong>Diseased turf will yield diseased turf clippings, which can spread lawn diseases and fungi throughout the rest of your healthy grass. You can read our article about grass fungus<\/a> to learn how to get rid of it.<\/li>
- You have a lot of grass clippings. <\/strong>Too much of a good thing can be bad, and grass clippings are no exception. Too much of the clippings can smother your lawn and leave brown spots.<\/li>
- Your lawn is new. <\/strong>Newly-seeded turf can\u2019t handle the weight of the clippings.<\/li>
- Your lawn has excess thatch. <\/strong>Although the clippings won\u2019t make your thatch problems worse, they won\u2019t reach the soil. Clippings won\u2019t reach soil microorganisms that break them down if the thatch layer is more than \u00bd-inch thick, says the University of Missouri Extension<\/a>.<\/li>
- You have a lot of weeds. <\/strong>While mowing, you may mow weed seed heads, which will contain weed seeds. If left on the lawn, the seeds will sprout and lead to even more weeds.<\/li>
- You have children or pets. <\/strong>The little ones may eat the clippings, which can make them sick. The clippings may also track inside after a good play session on your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
What else can I do with lawn clippings?<\/span><\/h3>
Here are a few things you can do with the lawn clippings you can\u2019t leave on the lawn:<\/p>
- Compost them. <\/strong>Your grass clippings are a great source of nitrogen. You can add them to your compost pile as a green waste material. Learn more about this in our guide: How to Compost Your Grass Clippings<\/a>. Note: <\/strong>Don\u2019t compost grass treated with herbicide.<\/li>
- Mulch them<\/strong>, but not on your lawn. You can use your lawn clippings as free mulch<\/a> for your landscape beds, shrubs, and trees. Just make sure they haven\u2019t been treated with herbicides.<\/li>
- Drop them off for curbside composting. <\/strong>Some communities offer curbside composting, where they take your grass clippings and turn them into compost.<\/li>
- Bag them and dispose. <\/strong>This is ideal for clippings from lawns that are riddled with weeds. <\/li> <\/ul>
However, you have to make sure that you\u2019re allowed to throw away your grass clippings. The US Composting Council<\/a> says these states ban or limit homeowners from throwing away yard clippings in the garbage bin:<\/p>
- Arkansas<\/li>
- Delaware<\/li>
- Florida (only allowed in landfills with gas collection systems)<\/li>
- Georgia (only allowed in landfills with gas collection systems)<\/li>
- Illinois<\/li>
- Indiana<\/li>
- Iowa (only allowed in landfills with gas collection systems)<\/li>
- Maryland<\/li>
- Michigan<\/li>
- Minnesota<\/li>
- Missouri<\/li>
- Nebraska (only allowed in landfills with gas collection systems)<\/li>
- New Hampshire<\/li>
- North Carolina<\/li>
- Ohio<\/li>
- Pennsylvania<\/li>
- Rhode Island<\/li>
- South Carolina<\/li>
- South Dakota<\/li>
- West Virginia<\/li>
- Wisconsin<\/li> <\/ul>
Note: <\/strong>Some counties and municipalities ban this practice even if there is no state-wide policy on it. Always check with your local authorities<\/p>
Hire a pro for a clean-cut lawn<\/span><\/h2>
Mulching is better for your lawn\u2019s health, but side discharge is a much faster way to take care of grass clippings. However, sometimes you just won\u2019t have enough time to mow your lawn properly even if you side discharge \u2013 especially if your grass is growing very fast. In times like these, we recommend hiring a lawn care professional to handle it for you.<\/p>
Lawn Love can connect you with a lawn care pro in your area<\/a> who can mow your lawn and take care of the clippings however you like. They can also fertilize your lawn, get rid of weeds, and much more, so you can have a beautiful lawn without lifting a finger.<\/p>
\t\t\t\t\t\tSources<\/p> \t\t\t
<\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t- University of Minnesota Extension<\/a><\/li>
- Michigan State University Extension<\/a><\/li>
- University of Missouri Extension<\/a><\/li>
- US Composting Council<\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>
Main Photo Credit: Mulched leaves, Famartin<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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- Michigan State University Extension<\/a><\/li>
- University of Minnesota Extension<\/a><\/li>
- Mulch them<\/strong>, but not on your lawn. You can use your lawn clippings as free mulch<\/a> for your landscape beds, shrubs, and trees. Just make sure they haven\u2019t been treated with herbicides.<\/li>
- You have a lot of grass clippings. <\/strong>Too much of a good thing can be bad, and grass clippings are no exception. Too much of the clippings can smother your lawn and leave brown spots.<\/li>
- Best Lawn Mowers for Big Yards<\/a><\/li>
- Best Lawn Mowers<\/a><\/li>
- Chute blocks or block-off plates <\/strong>temporarily block off the side discharge chute. You can also allow the grass clippings to be discharged closer to the mower by changing the angle of the chute block.<\/li>
- Mulching pros and cons<\/a><\/li>