#mulching mower

Mulching is a simple process that involves the use of other materials such as grass and rocks to cover the top soil. 

When it comes to organic mulch, a quality mulching mower successfully completes and hastens the mulching process. 

Nevertheless, there are different types of mulch and each mulch benefits a given plant mostly. 

However, a mulching mower might be limited to a specific number of mulch types. 

Mulches are used to cover soil for a variety of reasons: moisture retention and heat trapping. Mulches also create pathways in the soil and prevent weeds as well as controlling soil erosion.

Pumice rock

Pumice rock is a lightweight porous rock that comes from a volcanic eruption.

Most often, it is used as mulch for flower beds and other perennial plants. 

It has the ability to retain and trap water since it is very porous.

Wood chips

Wood chips are by-products of tree pruning. 

The chips have the ability to conserve soil water as well as moderate soil temperatures. 

In addition, they are good in suppressing weeds. 

They can be used as mulch in any vegetable garden as well as under trees and shrubs.

Grass clippings

A quality mulching mower is used to cut the grass into small pieces before application. 

Grass clippings are easily affordable and more beneficial to the plants. 

Most often, they can be used as mulch in vegetable gardens. 

Fresh grass has high nitrogen content that promotes vegetative growth. 

They also have the highest ability to retain the moisture content.

Pine straw mulch

Pine straw mulch is also affordable and easy to apply. 

Using pine straw mulch benefits plants in many ways but they particularly allow the soil to breathe and also prevent the soil from becoming dense and compact.

It also infuses the soil with nutrients such as calcium. 

Plants such as berries, some flowers and vegetables really benefit from this mulch because they tolerate and grow well under the acidic conditions created by the mulch.

Cocoa bean mulch

It offers an economical and attractive mulching material to add to all types of gardens. 

It has been said, for a long time now, that putting a few layers of mulch down on your lawn or garden helps keep the grass looking vibrant and lush and helps the plants and vegetables grow proud and strong (and juicy). But what mulch should you use?

Well no matter what mulch you use, be it organic or inorganic, on your garden soil and around your plants, trees, or hedges it will be highly beneficial.

However, some mulch is better than others.

Mulch Types

When it comes to your lawn nothing makes a better mulch than the grass that came from it!

Your lawn will be better than ever if you use the very same grass clippings taken from that lawn because you are putting back into the soil what was taken from it - plus a bit more as plants use photosynthesis to turn sunlight into simple sugars and nutrients.

However instead of raking up grass from your last now day and spreading it out evenly over your lawn clippings from using a mulching mower are much more effective for mulch.

All this information may have you feeling somewhat more confident in your gardening skills, feeling like a pro if you may... doesn’t it?

Well, sorry to burst your bubble by letting you know that that is only half of the story!

The information you require, the other half of the story, for mulching to be beneficial to your garden is supplied in this post.

What am I talking about?

Well, do you know which type of mulch is more effective for summer?

No?

How about winter?

Still a no?

Great, then this article will equip you with such facts and make you teh envy of the neighborhood.

Here's what you need to know:

Spring Mulching

Mulching in spring can be done either at the beginning or end of the season to prevent the growth of weed and conserve moisture respectively.

Spring mulches are best for lasting plants such as trees, hedges, and shrubs.

For the kitchen or flower gardens, it is advisable to wait until late spring or beginning of summer lest the cool temperatures inhibit growth.

Summer Mulching

During summer, you can apply mulch as early as the beginning of spring and throughout the season but ensure that by the first days/weeks of summer you have already done so.

Mulching in the summer is mainly for two reasons, retaining soil moisture and maintaining soil temperature.

It however also helps to control weed, pests and enhance soil fertility.

Mulches you can use include any organic mulch like animal manure, kitchen scraps, compost, bark, the grass clippings from your mulching mower etc., and plastic mulch.

Fall/Autumn Mulching

Mulching in the summer is still important as it:

Extends soil warmth which in turn lengthens both the flowering and harvesting seasons.

Retains moisture

Hinders the germination of weeds

Thick fall mulch will also prevent permanent plantings and perennials from excessive freezing

Any available organic mulch is suitable.

Seasonal Mulching Know How

With the freezing temperatures of winter, it is wise to apply mulch as it prevents frequent freezing and thawing that is temperature fluctuations that, that pull out shallow rooted roots and cause damages to their crowns.

It is best to apply it between mid and end November when the ground is hard and frozen.

The best mulch will sustain air spaces to allow plants to breathe.

Such mulches include Shredded leaves, pine needles, compost et cetera.

Come spring, you can now remove the mulch periodically to help the land thaw slowly preventing drastic temperature changes.

So Why is Grass Mulch Better Than Chemical Mulch?

We all know that mulch is used to fortify the soil and to make a nutrient rich environment for whatever it is that you are trying to cultivate  to grow and thrive well.

But did you know that you have a choice of mulch; you can get the chemical kind at your local farm and garden store, or you can set out to bunch up the grass kind by using your own mulching mower.

Why chemical mulch is not good

You have to handle the mulch to ensure an effective spread. 

Chemical mulch exposes you dangerous toxins. 

Not only that, but they can eventually breed pests and make your cultivation efforts a waste of time.

Why grass mulch is better

Grass is nature’s best mulch. 

Your lawn get pure nutrients from freshly cut grass. 

This you can spread over specific garden areas so that the decomposing grass releases its natural nutrients to seep back into the soil without worrying about harmful chemicals.

Plus, there is no big money outlay as is the case buying store-bought mulch. 

Once you spend on your mulching mower, the other spending is your time and energy.

The mower has special blades that will effectively cut the grass. 

Additionally, these type of lawn mowers are very easy to use. 

You simply cut along a straight path and allow the mower to spread the small mulched grass clippings evenly over the lawn while you mow.

Not only does the mulching mower evenly cut the grass, but you can set most of these machines to also bag the clippings instead of discharging them from the side. 

This is your special gold. This means you can take that mulched grass and spread it all over the area you are cultivating. 

If you are worried that herbicides were used on the grass all you have to let it to is dry out before you use it.

The grass mulch is also better because it keeps the moisture in the soil. 

It will allow the worms and any other pest to come to the top, and leave your farming efforts unharmed. It will also keep out the weeds as these seeds will not be able to grow or grow as effectively.

The process of mowing your lawn can be tedious and time-consuming. Most people are required to pay a collector to dispose of the grass clippings. 

But a mulching mower can save you the hassle of collecting or paying a collector to dispose of the grass. 

With a mulching mower, the grass is not discharged into the collector. 

Instead, the grass circulates below the cutter deck where it is chopped into fine particles that are then dropped down to the base of the turf. 

Micro-organisms further breakdown the clippings adding nutrients into the soil. 

As a result, your lawn becomes healthier with every landscaping session.

Who needs a Mulching Mower?

Users intending to adopt organic lawn care

Users who live far away from compost pit

Users with large lawns as the mulching mowers will prove to be more cost-efficient

Individual who wishes to reduce the amount of time spent caring for the lawn

Benefits of the Mulching Mower

Cost Reduction: you will not be required to pay a collector or incur cost in waste disposal.

Less Fertilizer is required: mulching mowers recycle the grass clippings allowing the generation of nutrients through decomposition. 

Therefore, less fertilizer is required to enrich the soil.

Healthier Lawn: decomposition of clippings causes the release of nutrients into the soil which is essential for the grass. 

Besides, the already decomposed clippings help improve the soil texture.

Environment-Friendly: environmental conservation is a central concern to all individuals and institutions. 

Mulching lawn mowers allow users to contribute to environmental conservation by increasing ground water retention and soil conservation.

Important Points to note

Amidst the many benefits of using the mulching mowers, users should be keen to collect grass clippings if there are seeding weeds and weed grasses on the lawn. 

Alternatively, users can cut the grass earlier before the weeds and weed grasses begin seeding.

Top Tips on How to Mulch With your Lawn Mower Each season, we end up collecting tons of leaves and grass clippings which we might find difficult to dispose of. 

Using the best mulching mower will not only preserve the moisture of the soil below but will also provide nutrients to it when it breaks down.

What is a Mulch?

Mulch is made up of natural materials spread on top of the soil to protect it from drying out and making it more attractive. 

Mulches can be any of the following:

Composed manure

Compost

Chipped or shredded bark

Newspaper

Straw

Grass clippings

Shredded leaves

How do I maintain my lawn with a mulching mower?

So, if you have thought about it and decided to mulch, then here are a few things you should consider:

• Use the right mower – Not all lawn mowers are made for mulching. 

All mowers tend to look the same but you can use one with a grass catcher. 

It should also have a different blade intended for mulching. 

Modern mowers are generally crafted to cut, collect and distribute evenly whatever mulch is collected.

• Cut once in a week – Avoid clumping by cutting once every 7 days. 

If cutting routine takes more than a week, then you tend to collect more mulch which the mower cannot handle.

• Mulch in the morning – The best time to mulch is when the dew had dried up so the grass clippings won’t stick together and clog the mower.

• Follow a different pattern each week when mowing – Different mowing patterns each week will prevent ruts from forming. 

If you decided to go across this week, then try other directions next time.

• Clean your mulching mower – Access the underside of the mower to check the air filter. 

You can clean or replace it if there is too much dirt or grime. 

How A Mulching Mower Blade Works Compared To An Ordinary Mower Blade

Is there anything so calculated to warm the heart of the yard-proud than a beautifully mown swath of lush green grass? 

Every spring the suburbs spring to life to the sound of lawnmowers going about their business. However deep in lawn territory, there is controversy. 

It is the age-old divide between those that mulch and those that rake.

Mulching Mower Blade

Mulching mower blades have a clever trick up their sleeves. 

Rather than leaving a trail of shredded lawn clipping in their wake, mulching blades shred your lawn clippings into a fine mulch before dropping it onto your lawn. 

Hey presto, your lawn clippings have mysteriously disappeared!

Blade Runner

The magic of mulching comes from the shape of the mulching mower's blade. 

A mulching blade generally has a more curved blade profile compared to a regular blade. 

A greater proportion of its blade surface is also generally devoted to a cutting edge than an ordinary mower blade. 

These hard-to-spot nuances help to keep grass clippings from a mulching blade circulating under the mower housing, allowing the blade to shred the clippings progressively into finer and finer pieces.

Aerodynamically, ordinary blades are designed to generate uplift inside the mower housing, dragging grass clippings up and out the discharge-chute. 

A mulching blade, in comparison, generates a continuously circulating air stream that directs the clippings up to the blade after they're cut, providing the mulching effect.

The Upside

Mulch is great for your lawn. 

It stops the roots from drying out and burning during hot summer temperatures and returns the nitrogen in the lawn cuttings back to lawn.

The Downside

As mulching blades are designed to keep the clippings circulating under the mower housing rather than ejecting the cuttings, those blades don’t work as well when it comes to discharging the clippings. 

Do you own a mulching mower? If not perhaps you are hesitant since you do not know the benefits of mulching. 

You should note that for a long time mulch has been a major factor in maintaining a healthy soil. In fact, mulch is one of the components you need to create and maintain a healthy and attractive garden. 

If you do not mulch regularly or never mulch at all, here are some mulching benefits that will change your mind.

It helps in water conservation

Reducing evaporation is one of the primary roles of mulch. 

Mulch covers the soil thus preventing the sun from beating the soil and drying it. 

Evaporation is one of the ways that soil loses water and can lead to the death of all plants making your yard look ugly. 

Also, it has been proven that mulched gardens require less watering than un-mulched ones during dry seasons.

Moderates soil temperatures

The same way mulch protects the soil from scorching sun during the day it also acts as an insulator at night thus moderating temperatures underneath. 

Rather than the soil temperatures fluctuating from cold to hot, they are maintained between warm and cool. 

This helps to create ideal conditions for growth of wide variety of plants.

Prevents soil erosion

In addition to improving soil conditions mulch also helps to hold soil in place. 

Bare soil is easily carried away by erosion agents such as the wind and flowing water. 

Mulch prevents the soil from coming into contact with the wind and also slows rain and flowing water significantly.

Reduces weeds

If applied appropriately mulch can help to prevent the growth of nasty weeds on your yard. 

For you to succeed in keeping the weeds away, you should buy a mulching mower which will produce high-quality mulch. 

High-quality mulch consist of distinct nuggets and chips while low-quality mulch is made of fine particles that break down fast providing ideal conditions for weed growth.

Enriches your soil

With time organic mulch starts decomposing thus improving water retention and quality of the soil. 

The natural compost from organic mulch also adds nutrients to the soil.

Do you have an aching desire to improve the pluck and vitality of your garden or farm but know not the means by which to do so? Well, let me ease the pain of mind-numbing research! 

While a mulching mower is great on the lawn, a coat of mulch will greatly help that dreary greenery. Just apply it, sit back, and wait for the magic to happen! Though, some questions arise in so doing.

The two types

What is the difference between organic and inorganic mulch; which is better, and is it truly that important? 

In short, Inorganic mulch is a compound that consists of materials which never lived. 

The inorganic material does not decompose, and it is not as expensive.

Conversely, materials which, at one point, were a living thing, compose Organic Mulch. It decomposes, and it costs more over time. 

General Benefits

Both types of mulch offer general benefits: benefits that they both share in common. 

Just as the mulching mower assists your lawn, mulch will protect plants from the elements and weeds; likewise, both of the two types will isolate the soil, and it will help absorb and contain rain.

  Inorganic Vs Organic Mulch: The Differences

While both mulches have a multitude of similar uses and attributes, each type has different benefits as well. 

For one, in the process of decomposition, organic mulch yields bountiful nutrients which fertilize the plants and assist growth. 

It also provides certain fungi, bacteria, etc. sometimes. 

On the other hand, inorganic mulch will do no such thing; though it will offer ample protection in the winter; also, it will regulate the temperature of the soil better than organic mulch because it is a superior insulator. 

Aside from that. Inorganic Mulch is long lasting and does not mold.

Your Choices

So, you need only choose which benefits best pertain to your gardening needs and grab a bag of mulch.