Catching vs. Mulching

Whether to use a grass-catching mower to collect clippings or go the mulching route and leave clippings on the ground is a choice every lawn maintenance contractor must make. In many situations, climate or turf type dictates the choice. Collection is preferable in many northern areas since excess moisture in cool-season turf can clog mulching machines. On the other hand, contractors in the south have no such problems, so mulching is a viable option.

Beyond turf type, contractors have a few other factors to consider in the mulching/catching debate. The following points were provided by Ruthanne Stuckey, marketing director, The Grasshopper Co., Moundridge, Kan., to help contractors weigh their turf management options.

Advantages of mulching include:

Advantages of grass collection include:

The author is Assistant Editor of Lawn and Landscape magazine and can be reached at lspiers@lawnandlandscape.com.