The mulching mowers they make now for consumers are crap. Looks like I will have to go back to bagging the grass. When bagging, the mower cuts fine.
Can the fresh grass clippings be put under fruit trees as much or does it hurt the tree?
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good for the tree. too much over a long period might encourage leaf over fruit growth but heavy feeders really benefit from it. could add it to your compost pile as a green source also.
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I mow onto my trees when i do mow… Clark does too i think.
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As said above, heavy feeders will apperciate it. I use most of my mowed grassed to mulch around my banana and papaya. They definitely seem to enjoy it.
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The only drawback I can think of would be if your grass is setting seed which could germinate in your mulch bed, so if that’s the case better to first compost your clippings and then use the composted organics for mulch. For certain you want to make use of them rather than going to waste. If there are no seed clippings would be great applied directly
Dennis
Kent wa
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Just make sure it’s not too dense so it doesn’t turn into an anaerobic slimy mess.
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I use grass clippings, tree and bush and weed clippings in the spring and summer… in the fall I use maple leaves from my two big sugar maples… late winter i add wood chips.
Planning to start some bocking 14 comfery… with each fruit tree to use for chop and drop green mulch…
Composting in place.
I have walking onions planted on the north side of each of 30+ fruit trees now… going to put comfrey on the south side. Living mulches (nutrient accumulators) that can be chopped and dropped seem ideal to me.
The hope is to eventually stop fertilizing completely or at least seriously minimize it.
TNHunter
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Today I got out and collected some green to add another layer to my fruit tree much.
It includes grass weeds and limb tips of various trees around the edge of my field or along my roadways. I chop it up pretty good and just lay down a nice layer.
TNHunter
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I would keep it well off the trunk, and make sure it does not drain towards the trunk in heavy rain. In hot and humid climates you have to worry about Southern Stemblight that can easily kill a young tree. I live in Florida and learned the hard way, I add fresh mulch now in the fall.
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I let the grass clippings dry out completely and then spread them in a 1-2" thick layer atop cardboard. The grass helps my landscaping staples keep the cardboard in place, and the whole shebang reduces weed and drought pressure.
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I do the same chop and drop with all my spent vegetable garden plants and the tall grass we can’t mow right up against the beds. The burning blueberries just got a hefty layer of sweet peas. Grass clippings go in my vegetable gardens/any bare ground as long as it didn’t get too long and go to seed.
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@Eme … I put most of my compostable garden waste in my compost pile… chop all those spent corn stalks up, etc…
But I have an abundance of grass, weeds, bushes, trees, wild grape, etc… that want to grow on out into my fields and roadsides every year. It doea not take long to collect a wheelbarrow or cart full.
I pass on anything that has seeds or sign of disease. Most of my wild black cherry has some CAR… so I skip those… i skip hickory also since it has some jugulone.
A few years back the county sent a crew down my road cutting back and chipping all the brush and branches hanging out towards the road.
I talked to them and they left me a big pile of that chip. It was mostly small branches covered in green leaves (early summer) and made some very good mulch.
I have two yellow crookneck squash in a bed near my fig tree… growing the squash verticle up a stake… removing the bottom leaves about once a week. Using them as mulch under my fig.
TNHunter
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I don’t really cut my grass, but I do immediately chop 'n drop within my fruiting trees & shrubs.
As long as you aren’t dealing with extreme humidity/rains, piling against the trunk, juglone, invasives, diseased plant matter or anything extreme - it will be of benefit. Take into account your climate and actions, but overall it is a fine practice.
My greens either chop 'n drop or go into my compost. Whichever is less effort or needs the extra attention at the time.
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