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Percentage of Nitrogen in Grass Clippings

Contrary to popular belief, grass clippings do not contribute to high thatch accumulation. In fact, grass clippings impart important nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to the soil. However, grass clippings are detrimental when they have not been properly spread in a thin layer or allowed to build up into piles.

  1. Percentage of Nitrogen and Other Nutrients

    • Grass clippings contain 4 percent nitrogen, according to Kansas State University. In addition, grass clippings contain .5 percent phosphorous and 2 percent potassium. Gardeners who leave their grass clippings on the lawn contribute up to 25 percent of their lawn's fertilizer needs, according to Ohio State University. Grass uses nitrogen to produce healthy growth, phosphorous for root development and potassium to fend off diseases. While spreading grass clippings promotes a healthy lawn, improper grass-clipping distribution and mowing decrease the benefits.

    Disadvantages of Grass Clippings

    • Grass clippings damage lawns when allowed to clump together and sit on the turf in piles. Piles of grass clippings reduce the amount of air and sunlight the lawn receives. Gardeners prevent piles of grass clippings by regularly mowing, mowing when grass is dry and mowing at the correct height. Taking off more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one time not only weakens the root system of your grass, but can also cause a high accumulation of grass clippings.

    Proper Grass-Clipping Distribution

    • Proper mowing practices prevents high grass-clipping accumulation. Mow your grass at its recommended mowing height and only take off 1/3 of the grass blade. For example, bermudagrass should be kept at 1 to 2 inches; therefore, it must be mowed when it reaches 3 inches in height, according to Kansas State University. Taking off 1/3 of your bermudagrass blade will leave the grass 1 inch in height. It is important to keep up with your mowing schedule to prevent causing damage to the grass.

    Other Factors

    • Gardeners prevent grass clippings from piling up by going over the lawn after mowing to rake any clumped-up clippings. The right amount of clippings left on the lawn is thin and allows you to see the grass through them. Furthermore, monitor your lawn for fungal or bacterial diseases. Diseased grass clippings left on the lawn will spread diseases. Bag up all diseased grass clippings and burn or throw it away. Avoid placing the grass clippings in your compost pile.

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Growing Grass
  1. How to Apply Nitrogen to Grass
  2. Fireplaces That Burn Grass Clippings
  3. Fertilizing Floratam Grass
  4. Grass Cuttings: Bag or Not to Bag?
  5. Grass Clippings and Blueberries
  6. How to Dispose of Grass
  7. Does Lightning Help Grass Grow?
  8. Can Fertilizers Burn Your Grass?
  9. Does Grass Need Nitrogen?
  10. Nitrogen's Effects on Grass
  11. What Does Fertilizer Do to Grass?
  12. How to Decompose Grass Clippings

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