Grass clippings beneficial when mixed, layered in compost
Be sure the lawn is herbicide-free
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Q. My compost consists almost completely of grass clippings from lawn mowing. When I mix the compost into other soils in my patio planter, the lettuce and onions I try to grow do not do well. Is it because the compost is made of grass mowings? Should I spread the compost on my flower gardens or potato patch?
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A. I’m wondering how you managed to create usable compost from almost entirely grass clippings. Piled up on their own, grass mowings melt down into an airless, smelly mass. For a finished compost with a nice earthy odour and texture, the high-nitrogen grass needs to be balanced with drier, high-carbon matter such as dried leaves or shredded newspaper, together with chopped, non-woody clippings and weeds from flower and vegetable plots.
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Grass clippings are a valuable addition to a compost heap when added in shallow layers between or mixed into other materials being composted. They are also beneficial, used alone or mixed half and half with aged sawdust, as a mulch in flower beds and vegetable plots and around shrubs and trees. Used alone, their depth should be limited to five cm to avoid a smelly meltdown.
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For the best possible, problem-free plant growth in planters and pots, us the largest size container that you can manage. Small containers are troublesome to keep adequately watered in summer.
For the planting mix, consider starting out with a purchased all-purpose potting mix. For increased heft and “staying power” in the mix add about one-third as much purchased, sterilized, soil with some weight. Coconut fibre (coir) enhances moisture retention to a mix and acts as a buffer against temperature extremes.
Though this may not apply to your situation, I should mention that grass clippings taken from a lawn that has been treated with a herbicide should not be used in a compost heap, or as a mulch in garden beds. where they can damage plants.
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