Mowing Maintenance: Grass Clippings Tips for Residents

Mowing and maintaining lawns is an ongoing seasonal task.  Some residents maintain their lawns themselves, while others use the services of lawn care companies.  Regardless of who mows, grass clippings should not be blown into the street.  These clippings get into the gutter and flow down the stormwater system into our streams and rivers.  Grass clippings can clog storm drains and cause water to back up.  Bacteria and insects may breed in this stagnant water and streets and yards may flood.  Grass clippings that end up in our waterways contribute excess nutrients and pollutants to the water.  These nutrients encourage algal growth, which can harm fish and other aquatic life.

Instead of bagging clippings, mulch the grass back into your yard as you mow or create a composting area in the yard.  Mulching and making compost are simple tasks that are good for both landscaping and lawn.  Good compost provides a ready supply of mulch and soil enhancers for planting flowers and vegetable gardens.  For more information on composting, check out the following resources:

·         Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: Composting at Home (http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1189.html). 

·         Ohio Environmental Protection Agency: Citizens Guide to Composting: (http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/47/facts/citizens_guide_to_composting.pdf)

·         Lake County General Health District: Stormwater, Lawn Care, and Keeping Streams Clean:

(http://www.lcghd.org/storm_water.aspx)

Grass clippings decompose quite rapidly and are high in nutrient value.  They primarily contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.  If clippings are mulched back into the yard or used as compost, these nutrients are returned to the lawn. This is similar to giving the lawn small amounts of fertilizer continuously, which can save money in the long run by reducing the amount of commercial fertilizer needed to maintain healthy grass and landscaping.

For more information, contact the Lake County Stormwater Management Department at (440) 350-5900.

- Chagrin River Watershed Partners

-Lake County Stormwater Management Department