Keeping your lawn neat, tidy, and well taken care of is a weekly task during the spring and summer months. Bagging your lawn clippings is an excellent way to keep your yard looking great at all times. However, many people are unsure about the best way to handle that loose grass after they mow. Fortunately, you can choose from a wide range of options without worrying about it going to waste.

Here are the top four things to do with your bagged lawn clippings.

1. Compost Clippings

One of the best ways to use bagged lawn clippings is for composting purposes. Mixing your clippings with straw and vegetable scraps is a great way to produce compost that is rich with microbes and insects. Over time, your compost will become a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden. However, it is important to avoid using too much compost because this can produce nutrient levels that are too high.

2. Use for Mulch

Another way to handle your lawn clippings is to use it for mulch around your garden or flower beds. Mulching is an excellent way to protect your flowers from heat, to conserve water, and to reduce the number of weeds. However, it's important to use dry clippings to help your plants gain the necessary amount of oxygen. You should also avoid using lawn clippings for mulch if you have treated your yard with pesticides or herbicides.

3. Yard Waste Services

A great way to save yourself a lot of time is to reach out to a lawn care company to handle your lawn clippings. These professionals can quickly dispose of your clippings without causing you to break a sweat. The only drawback of these services is that it will cost you money, and you will not be able to use your clippings for compost, mulch, or turf cycling.

4. Turf Cycling

Leaving behind your grass clippings is an excellent way to improve the quality of your soil to make it become more fertile. This eco-friendly process is also known as "turf cycling" because these grass clippings will quickly filter through your lawn and add organic material to your soil. The main drawback of grass cycling is that the clippings will be too long if you do not mow your lawn on a frequent basis

Understanding how to handle your bagged lawn clippings is a great way to save yourself a lot of time and hard work. Knowing the pros and cons of these various options is important in helping you find the best way to handle lawn clippings. Now is the perfect time to begin taking care of your lawn!

Your lawn makes a big first impression on passersby, your neighbors and guests. A healthy lawn can also be a source of pride and satisfaction. The way you mow your lawn makes a big impact on its health and growth. There are several mowing patterns you could try, including Zamboni style, stripes, a figure-eight, diagonally or concentric circles. Consider these top reasons to change the mowing pattern each time you cut the lawn.

Avoid Ruts

Mowing in different directions helps you avoid creating ruts in your lawn. Ruts are gouges in the soil that create an uneven surface. The soil becomes compacted in those areas. Repeated pressure from the lawn mower's wheels in the ruts causes damage to the root system of the lawn.

Reduce Damage

Switching up the direction of lawn mowing reduces the risk of damage. Mowing in the same direction every time leads to ragged cuts. The ragged edges are prone to nutrient loss, pest infiltration and moisture loss. It's also important to regularly sharpen the mower's blades. Remember to adjust the height of the blades so that you do not cut more than one-third the height of the grass in a single mowing session.

Lessen Soil Compaction

Soil compaction is a serious problem for your lawn. When there's less space between particles of the soil, water can't filter through to the roots of the grass. Instead, the water pools on the soil's surface, prohibiting the grass from completing its respiratory and photosynthesis cycles. Soil compaction also reduces the availability of nutrients to the roots of the grass. While tree roots can penetrate compacted soil, the thinner, softer roots of grass can't push through it. Mowing in a different pattern each time also reduces thatch buildup.

Decrease Weeds

Weeds will take advantage of every opportunity they get to invade your lawn. If the grass is damaged from uneven cuts, the roots aren't strong, and if there are ruts, weeds will easily work their way into your soil. Mowing in a different pattern keeps the grass strong and healthy, so there's no room for weeds to squeeze into the soil.

Improve Grass Health

Grass develops a grain or direction of growth based on the direction you mow. After a while, the lawn will start to look trampled or worn. By varying the direction and pattern of mowing, you'll encourage the grass to grow straight up. Vertically oriented grass is healthier. It builds more resistance to diseases and pests. It also captures more of the sun's energy for photosynthesis. When the blades of grass grow in a vertical orientation, they are able to respire more efficiently.