How to Decompose Grass Clippings

Mow your lawn so you cut no more than 1/3 of the total height at any one time. This helps prevent clumping and is more healthy for your lawn. Leave the clippings on the lawn and they will decompose, supplying your lawn with up to 25 percent of your lawn's fertilizing needs. You do not need a mulching mower to do this, but it can help distribute the clippings more evenly.

Collect clumps of grass clippings, both wet and dry. They do not decompose quickly and can cause matting on the grass and can encourage any diseases to spread. Spread wet clippings out on available space such as your driveway and allow them to dry, which should only take a day or two. You can then send them to the compost pile or use as mulch.

Use grass clippings as mulch. To minimize odors and excessive heat, only use 1 inch of dry grass clippings at a time. Or, you can mix equal parts of compost, wood chips or leaves with the grass clippings to create a thicker layer of mulch. The grass clippings will decompose in time, adding essential nutrients to your plants.

Throw dry grass clippings on your compost pile. Due to their nitrogen content, grass clippings help speed up the pile's decomposition process. Turn the pile and water as normal.

Take your grass clippings to a local yard waste facility where they will decompose with other yard waste, which is sometimes given or sold to the public as compost.