You can make a difference by composting your grass clippings, too. Read on to learn more about how to compost grass clippings.<\/p>
- What is composting?<\/li>
- Why is composting important?<\/li>
- Why compost grass clippings?<\/li>
- How to compost grass clippings<\/li>
- What else can go into my compost?<\/li>
- What not to put into your compost<\/li>
- Remember to balance carbon-nitrogen levels<\/li>
- Frequently asked questions about composting<\/li><\/ul>
What is composting?<\/h2>
Composting<\/strong> is a form of recycling, where you take organic matter — such as food scraps, dry leaves, and grass clippings — and help them decompose into a nutritious fertilizer. You can participate in industrial composting<\/a> by signing up for your local green waste bin program, or you can reap the benefits of creating your own compost pile at home. <\/p>
Composting helps organic materials decompose through aerobic decomposition<\/strong> — a form of decomposition where organic matter is being broken down into compost by microorganisms that need oxygen to survive. <\/p>
This is much better for the environment compared to anaerobic decomposition<\/strong> — a form of decomposition where organic matter is being broken down by microorganisms that do not<\/em> need oxygen to survive. This is the type of decomposition that occurs in landfills since so much trash is being piled up, little oxygen is able to move through the matter. <\/p>
Why is composting important?<\/h2>
Anaerobic decomposition creates biogas (50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide) as a byproduct, which is why landfills are the third-largest source<\/a> of methane emissions created by humans. By composting your grass clippings, you\u2019ll be helping to significantly reduce the amount of waste going into landfills and the number of emissions being created.<\/p>
Why compost grass clippings?<\/h2>
![\"wooden](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_1024px-compost_bin_2.jpg\")
Pavel \u0160evela | Wikimedia Commons<\/a> | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Grass is a free resource that can either be recycled back into the Earth, returning water and essential nutrients to the soil, or it can be trash bagged and thrown into a landfill, generating more fossil fuels and damaging the environment.<\/p>
There are countless benefits to composting your grass clippings, including:<\/p>
- Improves the health of the soil with nutrients<\/li>
- Improves aeration in the soil<\/li>
- Reduces unnecessary waste that ends up in landfills<\/li>
- Cuts down on landfill methane emissions<\/li>
- Lowers your carbon footprint<\/li>
- Reduces the need for pesticides<\/li>
- Reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers<\/li>
- Prevents and controls plant diseases<\/li>
- Promotes the soil ecosystem<\/li><\/ul>
Overall, composting is an easy way to take better care of the environment. Composting is a habit that gives back, helping you get rid of your yard waste and providing you with free, organic fertilizer to help your plants grow strong and healthy.<\/p>
One thing to note: Do not add grass clippings that have been treated with herbicides to your compost pile. They can (and should<\/a>) be composted back into the lawn, however.<\/p>
Who should compost?<\/strong><\/p>
People of all ages<\/a> and backgrounds can learn how to compost and reduce their carbon footprint. Whether you live in a house or apartment, read on to learn how you can get started with composting.<\/p>
How to compost grass clippings:<\/h2>
- Grasscycling<\/li>
- Pile composting<\/li>
- In-ground or trench composting<\/li>
- Container composting<\/li>
- Vermicomposting<\/li>
- Mulching<\/li><\/ul>
Grasscycling<\/h3>
Grasscycling is the easiest way to make use of your grass clippings — you just leave them on the ground after you\u2019re done mowing. Grass clippings are small enough to decompose without piling up and becoming thatch, and by leaving them you reduce your lawn\u2019s need to be replenished with fertilizer. Grasscycling will cut down 30%-38%<\/a> of your time spent mowing because you won\u2019t have to worry about bagging and transporting the grass clippings. <\/p>
Pile composting<\/h3>
![\"Large](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_36631551214_6ab47ac1fa_c.jpg\")
Oregon State University | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> If you can\u2019t remove your lawn mower\u2019s bagging attachment, or don\u2019t like the look of fresh grass clippings being left on the lawn, you can still compost them. Pile composting is easy — just find an area away from your home and begin a compost pile. This is a great no-frills way for people with more space to start composting. <\/p>
Compost piles should be at least 4 square feet<\/a> in size. Anything smaller will take much longer for the compost to decompose. <\/p>
Pick a location<\/strong><\/p>
- Find a secluded area away from where you or your neighbors might smell the compost.<\/li>
- Place it near the garden to ease transport back and forth.<\/li>
- Ideally, it should be placed in a more shaded area to prevent it from getting dried out.<\/li><\/ul>
Add the ingredients<\/strong><\/p>
- Layer one: Spread coarse plant material, such as twigs and branches.<\/li>
- Layer two: Add 6-10 inches of fine plant material, such as dry leaves, fresh grass clippings, and kitchen scraps.<\/li>
- Layer three: Put 1 inch of soil or manure.<\/li>
- Repeat layers two and three until the compost pile is about 5 feet tall. <\/li>
- As you\u2019re adding layers, add light amounts of water to help jumpstart decomposition.<\/li>
- Optional: Cover with a plastic tarp. <\/li><\/ul>
In-ground or trench composting<\/h3>
Trench composting<\/a> is a form of composting where you bury food scraps in a trench in your garden. With trench composting, you can compost taboo materials such as meat, dairy, and cooked foods without worrying about attracting pests. You also can trench compost pet feces, as long as the garden is not for edible crops. After you\u2019re done filling the trench, cover it with your leftover grass clippings as a mulch to keep everything in place.<\/p>
How to make a trench compost:<\/strong><\/p>
- Dig a hole 18-24 inches deep in your garden. The hole can be as wide or long as you want, but generally, a shovel\u2019s blade width works best. <\/li>
- Fill 6 inches of the trench with food waste and moist organic materials. Fill the trench with soil, covering it with at least 12-18 inches of soil.<\/li>
- Cover with a layer of organic mulch (your grass clippings). <\/li><\/ul>
Container composting<\/h3>
![\"plastic](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_3560384222_de527cf900_c.jpg\")
Karen and Brad Emerson | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Container composting is similar to pile composting — you just layer your grass clippings in amongst other organic materials, turn regularly, and wait. Container composting is great for homeowners with limited yard space or who live very close to their neighbors.<\/p>
There are many options<\/a> for both indoor and outdoor container composting. Wire fencing, cement blocks, and barrels are popular options for outdoor compost structures. Indoor composting is usually done in a plastic container — there are now plenty of options out there that help deal with compost smell, as well. <\/p>
You can even get a compost tumbler<\/a>, which is more expensive than most containers, but will have a faster compost turnaround due to the ease of turning. <\/p>
The composting process here is the same as pile composting. Since indoor compost bins will likely be much smaller in size, aim for a 2:1 brown to green ratio. <\/p>
Vermicomposting<\/h3>
![\"hand](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_6145996435_2aaaef62f6_c.jpg\")
Vanessa Vancour | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Vermicomposting is a form of container composting using a worm composting bin that is inexpensive and easy to maintain both indoors and outdoors. If you have a small yard, you can keep it out of the way on a patio or in a shed. If you have the space and don\u2019t mind some wiggly roommates, it can be kept anywhere inside, as well. <\/p>
You can build it yourself<\/a> or buy a bin specially designed for vermicomposting<\/a>. <\/p>
Mulching<\/h3>
Mulching your grass clippings is another easy way to compost them, especially if your lawn mower has a bagging attachment. <\/p>
Mulching has several benefits<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>
- Regulates soil temperature.<\/li>
- Conserves moisture.<\/li>
- Reduces weed growth.<\/li>
- Prevents soil erosion.<\/li><\/ul>
Mulching grass clippings is easy:<\/strong><\/p>
- Let the clippings dry.
- Wet grass clippings will stick together and mat down the soil, preventing nutrients and oxygen from reaching the plant roots. <\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Sprinkle a thin layer (1 to 2 inches) of grass clippings on top of and around the plants in your garden bed.<\/li>
- Add more as they decompose.<\/li><\/ul>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>Don\u2019t mulch your grass clippings if your lawn has been recently treated for broadleaf weeds (such as dandelions) with an herbicide. <\/p>
What else can go into my compost?<\/h2>
![\"infographic](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_composting-illustration-v3.png\")
<\/figure><\/div> These are the essential ingredients that make up your compost:<\/p>
- Organic matter<\/li>
- Carbon<\/li>
- Nitrogen<\/li>
- Water<\/li>
- Microorganisms<\/li>
- Macroorganisms<\/li>
- Air<\/li><\/ul>
Organic matter is made up of two types of materials: brown and green.<\/p>
- \u201cBrown\u201d materials:<\/strong> newspaper, dead leaves, sticks, toilet paper rolls, etc. These provide a source of carbon.<\/li>
- \u201cGreen\u201d materials:<\/strong> kitchen scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and similar items. These provide a source of nitrogen.<\/li><\/ul>
Water helps the organic matter break down and decompose more quickly. Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, etc.) and macroorganisms (worms, bugs, etc.) help with the decomposition process by breaking down the organic material into compost. Air and nitrogen are essential for microorganisms to survive, which is why it\u2019s important to turn compost frequently and pay attention to the carbon-nitrogen (C\/N) ratio. <\/p>
What not to put in your compost:<\/h2>
- Pet waste (chicken, cow, and horse manure is fine) <\/li>
- Black walnut tree leaves\/twigs<\/li>
- Coal or charcoal<\/li>
- Diseased plants<\/li>
- Grass trimmings that have been treated with herbicides or pesticides<\/li><\/ul>
Additionally, avoid composting dairy products, grease, or meat trimmings<\/strong> because these will attract pests and rodents and create an unpleasant odor. <\/p>
Remember to balance carbon-nitrogen levels<\/h2>
Carbon and nitrogen are essential for the survival of the microbes that will break down your compost. Carbon is a source of energy, and nitrogen is a source of proteins, enzymes, and amino acids. <\/p>
What is the ideal carbon-nitrogen (C\/N) ratio?<\/strong><\/p>
The ideal C\/N ratio is 30:1, meaning 30 parts of carbon per 1 part of nitrogen. <\/p>
What happens if the ratio is off?<\/strong><\/p>
Too much nitrogen will lead to pungent odors, and too little nitrogen will starve the microbes and cause delayed decomposition. <\/p>
Some \u201cbrown\u201d organic materials have higher amounts<\/a> of carbon than others.<\/p>
- \u201cGreen\u201d materials:<\/strong> kitchen scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and similar items. These provide a source of nitrogen.<\/li><\/ul>
- \u201cBrown\u201d materials:<\/strong> newspaper, dead leaves, sticks, toilet paper rolls, etc. These provide a source of carbon.<\/li>
- Let the clippings dry.