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A question many homeowners with lawns may ask is: ‘Should I buy a bagging mower or a mulching mower?’ Before making a decision about whether to bag or mulch your lawn, it is best to understand just what bagging & mulching is in the first place. ‘Mulch’ is a collection of organic matter ? typically leaves & straw ? that cover the ground & helps to retain moisture in the soil & fertilize plants. Right. When one mulches the lawn, they return the cut up grass blades back to the ground.

On the other hand, bagging mowers simply cut the lawn & get rid of the blades from the ground for good. It gives that vacuum cleaner aspect to your lawn. This is very attractive if you’re planning on having company.

Mulching is the ideal approach, as it adds nutrients to your soil & promotes a healthy lawn. However, if you let your grass grow too long or the mulch clippings become too cumbersome (and thus, produce thatch), you will need to start bagging. During the months where there is extra rainfall & not as much need for mulch or during those periods where there is overgrowth, bag! For all those times when your lawn is thirsty, mulch.

However, if you are especially concerned with the look of your lawn & want to stick to bagging, you can still fertilize your lawn separately (perhaps with the clippings).

So if you are wondering whether it is best to mulch or bag your lawn, know that it really depends on the season & your particular lawn. Mulching should attempt to be achieved, if only to fertilize your lawn, but it is not always a good idea.

Stephen Blades loves seeing people build great lawns & loves to teach them how to do it… Click to Mower FAQ & Grass Fanatic - 2 of his lawn care sites - for many more Mower Articles & Grass Articles.

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