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Grasscycle: Feed Your Lawn for Free & Make Less Trash
What is Grasscycling?

Grasscycling is the practice of leaving grass clippings on your lawn when mowing, instead of bagging them. It’s the natural way to recycle grass clippings and provide your lawn with the valuable nutrients and water that it needs.
 

Don’t bag it.

 

Leave clippings on lawn.

 

And relax.
 
Why Grasscycle?
 
  • MAKE LESS TRASH - Up to 37% of what Denver residents put in the trash during the growing season is yard waste which is predominantly grass clippings. You can significantly reduce your spring and summer waste just by Grasscycling.
  • ENJOY A HEALTHIER LAWN - Grasscycling is an easy way to a healthy lawn and a great way to recycle valuable nutrients for free. Clippings break down quickly and slowly release nutrients like Nitrogen back into the soil beneath your lawn.
  • SAVE WATER - Grass clippings left on your lawn will shade grass roots and help keep the soil cool. And because grass clippings are made up of more than 80% water, they return valuable moisture to the soil which means less watering for you to do.
  • REDUCE YOUR WORK - Grasscycling can drastically reduce the time you spend on lawn care by saving you from the hassle of bagging, raking and disposing of grass clippings.
  • SAVE MONEY - Grasscycling reduces the amount the City must spend to collect, haul and landfill grass clippings.

Click Here to Download Grasscycle flyer (449 KB)
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You Can Grasscycle Successfully! Try it for a few weeks and see what you think.

 
  1. Mow your lawn when it’s dry.
  2. Keep your mower blades sharp.
  3. Follow the “1/3 Rule” – mow your lawn often enough so that no more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blade is cut and left on the lawn. Lawns are most healthy when mowed to a height of 2 ½ to 3 inches.
  
Grasscycle Questions/Answers
Do I need a special mower?  
 
You can Grasscycle with any mower (push, electric, gas or mulching). The mower collection bag should be removed to allow clippings to drop on the lawn. However, if your mower does not have a safety flap covering the opening where the bag fits into the chute, it is important that you purchase a retrofit kit from your hardware store. If you use a landscape service, ask them to leave the clippings on your lawn.
 
Will Grasscycling cause thatch and make my lawn look bad? 
 
Grasscycling does not cause thatch buildup. Research has shown that shallow grass roots caused by overwatering and overfertilization are the primary cause of thatch build up, not grass clippings. The short clippings from regular mowing will decompose quickly and will not cover the grass surface or cause thatch.
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