Mulching: good for your yard, good for you

What is mulch?

In the case of mulching lawn mowers, the mulch consists of grass clippings from the mowed turfgrass. The clippings are cut into fine pieces that fall easily to the soil surface. There, they can be rapidly broken down by soil microorganisms, which release nutrients from the mulched plant material back into the soil.

Why should I mulch instead of bag ?

It's good for your yard:



  • According to Dr. Keith J. Karnok, an agronomist and turf specialist with the University of Georgia, "It's a good idea to mulch grass clippings when possible, providing the mulched clippings do not interfere with the use or appearance of the turf area."

It's good for the environment:


It's good for you:

  • Mulching takes less time than bagging, because you don't have to stop to empty the bag.


How do I avoid clumps?

Clumps are ugly, and when left on the surface of the turfgrass, clumps also can damage the plant underneath. Fortunately, Honda makes it easy to avoid clumping.

"The key to mulching grass clippings is the size of the clippings: the smaller the clippings, the better," said Dr. Karnok.

Smaller clippings fall more rapidly to the soil surface and are less likely to clump. The smaller the clipping, the better your lawn will look.


Does mulching promote thatch?


"Contrary to popular belief, mulching grass clippings does not contribute to the buildup of thatch," said Dr. Karnok. "In general, proper mowing, irrigation and proper fertilization, and in particular, avoiding over-fertilization, will help keep thatch accumulation down."
More lawn care tips from Dr. Karnok

My grass is too wet or too tall to mulch. Any suggestions?

This is a common problem. Wet or tall grass often results in unsightly clumps. Grass with a high moisture content can also have this problem at times.


If your lawn conditions are really severe, try a Honda HRX mower. The HRX series offers our patented Versamow System™, which enables you to both mulch and bag simultaneously. You can incrementally adjust the amount of grass being mulched until clumps disappear. While you may have to bag some clippings, you will still be able to get some of the benefits of mulching - and you'll reduce the number of times you will have to empty the bag.

Versamow gives you the flexibility to mulch without sacrificing the appearance of your lawn. Learn more

Lawn Mowers