Can You Mulch Grass With a Husqvarna Riding Mower?

Benefits

• Mulching kits allow Husqvarna mowers such as the YTH21K46 to disperse grass clippings back into the lawn for decomposition. The clippings are spread evenly across the lawn, with the mower removing just a third of green grass growth. The University of Missouri reports that mulching can provide 25 percent of the fertilization necessary for maintaining an attractive lawn. Grass clippings distributed by the mower contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Bacteria in the soil use the clippings as a food source, and that also contributes to a healthy lawn.

Kits

• Mulch kits for Husqvarna riding mowers are available from dealers selling the mowers. Possibilities include lawn equipment stores, home improvement stores and other major retailers. Typical mulching kits for Husqvarna mowers include a set of mulching blades and mounting hardware. You must purchase the proper kit to fit your Husqvarna mower. Models with different deck sizes are available in the Husqvarna lawn tractor line. Proper mulching blades are important to cut the grass into small pieces to facilitate even distribution across the lawn.

Options

• Husqvarna also offers a device complementing the mulching kit. A "dethatcher" attaches to the rear of the mower and removes thatch from the lawn. Thatch is brown organic matter located beneath the grass at the soil line, according to Kansas State University. Thatch causes problems for lawns if there is excessive buildup, according to the university. Too much thatch diminishes the effectiveness of fertilization. The dethatcher works like a rake.

Features

• In addition to offering mulching kits, Husqvarna reports that its mowers are compact in size to require less space for storage. The mowers also feature ergonomic steering wheels and fender-mounted controls for adjusting cutting heights.