Identification

• Grass is one of the most adaptable members of the plant species. Once planted, it creates its own natural ecosystem inside the soil. Unless soil conditions are unusually harsh, grass will sustain itself provided natural environmental factors--sunlight, water, air--are present.
  
  When grass is mowed, the leftover clippings hold the same nutrient content as the grass that remains in the ground. Disposing of these clippings wastes vital materials that can be used to maintain the health of your lawn, as well as the health of your plants.
  
  

Features

• A general sampling of grass clippings will show a nutrition content of: 4 percent nitrogen, 5 percent phosphorous, 2 percent potassium and plant nutrients. Research studies done by the University of Missouri show that grass clippings hold 25 percent of a lawn's fertilizer needs. Further results obtained by the University of Connecticut revealed that a lawn absorbed two percent of the nitrogen content contained in clippings within two weeks time.
  
  These findings indicate how a ready-made nutrient source like grass clippings can further promote the health of your lawn. This is especially so if the current health of your lawn is good. Reinforcing a healthy lawn with the same nutrients that cultivated its healthy state works to maintain a natural cycle of nutrients within the soil.
  
  

Function

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  Maintaining a balanced soil composition plays a large role in keeping grass healthy. Acid and alkaline levels--the ph level in the soil--need to remain within the 6.5 to 7.0 range, meaning the soil's moisture level has to be just right. Letting grass clippings fall where they may helps to maintain needed moisture levels by redistributing organic nutrients back into the soil.
  
  Also important are the existing fungi and bacteria organisms needed to sustain the lawn's natural ecosystem. Any clippings will contain the exact mix of fungi and bacteria needed by the soil, which makes for a ready-made fertilizing agent. When mowing, only about a third of the grass blade's length needs to be cut in order to create the right consistency of clippings. Cutting them any longer will smother your lawn and soil system.
  
  

Significance

• When grass clippings are collected as solid waste, they sit in landfills, just like other refuse does. The problem with this is the nitrogen content of the clippings will become an environmental hazard over time. As grass decomposes in landfills, it contributes to the leachate, or slime residue produced when materials breakdown. The risk of ground water contamination increases as landfills continue to fill to capacity. When disposed of, the nutrients in clippings are not only wasted; they become an added strain on our environmental resources.
  
  

Considerations

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  When mowing grass that's taller than usual, it's not advisable to let grass clippings lie. There are, however, other ways to recycle them. Extra clippings can be used as mulch, or soil additives in gardens. Used as garden mulch, clippings act as a weed deterrent and reduce the amount of erosion that takes place. Mulch layers should be no deeper than one inch thick to allow for proper circulation of air and water throughout the soil.
  
  Another way to recycle your clippings is to toss them in your compost pile. Be sure to rotate the mix on a regular basis, as grass tends to stick together. The clippings should make up no more than half of the pile's mixture. Mixing in dry organic materials like newspaper, or sawdust will reduce any excess moisture created by the clippings, and make for a well circulated compost pile.
  
  Do keep in mind, though, that grass clippings from lawns that have been treated with pesticides or herbicides should only be used on the lawn. Using treated clippings on house plants, or yard plants may do more harm than good.