Mulching a lawn with a lawn mower - an economical agricultural technique
It takes a lot of work to create a high-quality green bedspread on the territory of a country house. However, many summer residents use a modern lightweight method - mulching the lawn with a lawn mower, which helps to save physical strength. What is the principle of this technique? What is the result of this approach? Answering questions will help you stay on top of new technologies and keep up with progress.
Lawn mulching with a lawn mower: general information and benefits
Most often this happens for the following reasons:
- frequent watering;
- climatic conditions;
- mechanical damage.
As a result, the soil needs feeding to keep the plants looking healthy. Otherwise, the grass will grow worse, and over time it will lose its color saturation. Mulching your lawn with a lawn mower is the ideal way to keep your lawn in top condition. But for this you need to purchase a special unit.
In the usual lawn mower there is a voluminous grass-catcher where the mowed greens fall. A mower designed for mulching has a special plug. Thanks to her, the grass returns to the knives, turning into small crumbs. During the movement of the unit, it disintegrates evenly over the entire territory of the green lawn. It turns out that lawn mulching with a lawn mower occurs mechanically. After all, the mown grass immediately turns into organic fertilizerthat goes directly to the soil.
This method of mulching contributes to the resistance of plants to such factors:
- summer heat;
- winter cold;
- excessive moisture;
- dry periods;
- various diseases;
- appearance weeds.
The first result of mulching with grass from a lawn mower appears after 10 days. Plants acquire a rich emerald color and grow much faster.
This technology has several major benefits:
- saving money and labor costs;
- speed of work (no need to stop periodically to unload the container);
- obtaining high-quality natural fertilizers;
- protection of the top layer of soil from drying out.
Some summer residents believe that the resulting green mixture clogs the lawn and spoils its aesthetic appearance. However, the small section falls on the ground in an even layer, falling into the space between the plant stems. To understand the principle of operation of such an agronomic technique, it is advisable to know what it is - lawn mulching. Let's consider its main nuances.
When purchasing a lawn mower, you need to pay attention to its power. Otherwise, the quality of chopping of green mass will suffer.
A cheap way to create an elite lawn
According to some sources, English gardeners invented mulching. When it was forbidden to use hoses for irrigation, they began to cover green lawns with chopped vegetation.
Today it is called lawn mulching. It includes several procedures:
- regular mowing of grass;
- harvesting dried plants;
- processing of raw materials;
- return of mulch to the surface of the soil.
Thanks to this, the temperature balance on the lawn is regulated in the cold season. Moisture is retained during hot summer. Fertilizing the soil with useful substances. Protection of the territory from weeds.
Having carefully examined the root zone of plants, you can see how it successfully develops and bush. In addition, the sod layer becomes much thicker and denser. Indeed, at all times, high-quality fertile soil was the key to the prosperity of green spaces.
In regions where severe winters prevail, it is advisable to create a thick layer of turf on the lawns.
The principle of operation of the new generation unit
Thanks to modern technology, a mulching lawn mower has been created, which many owners of country houses have liked. The principle of its operation is quite simple. 2 metal blades are equipped with sharp knives. They are located opposite each other. When energy is applied, a movement begins, due to which the cut grass turns into a fine cut.
Different mower models handle grass differently:
- throw plants back or in different directions;
- collect raw materials in special containers;
- the greens are immediately ground into powder and scattered over the territory.
Of course, the third option is the best, since mulching occurs while the machine is moving. Thus, the soil receives an abundance of organic mixture, which microorganisms convert into high-quality fertilizer. Such mulch is equated with humus, because it contains many useful substances. Therefore, summer residents do not buy additional fertilizers, saving their material resources.
Since both gasoline and electric mowers are commercially available, choose wisely. Each of them has its own pros and cons.
Basic rules for mulching a lawn
For a long time, gardeners have tried to remove all weeds from the beds. However, practice has shown that after processing, they can bring a lot of benefits. Is it possible to mulch lawns with freshly cut grass, or should it be dried first?
The use of modern lawn mowers shows that this is a perfectly acceptable way to fertilize a green lawn. But for this you need to adhere to the basic rules:
- mulching is carried out on low grass;
- during processing, about a third of the plants are cut off;
- the unit must operate at maximum power;
- only sufficiently sharp knives are acceptable;
- periodically clean the decks from plant residues.
Experienced gardeners have noticed that lawn mowers can only be used on a flat surface. Otherwise, the unit may break down.
If tall grass grows on the lawns, it is cut gradually using a stepwise method. In order for mulching to be of high quality, it is advisable to periodically change the movement around the site. As a result, the vegetation is evenly distributed over the lawn.
As you can see, the mulching process is quite a pleasant experience. The main thing is to get a suitable unit and act in accordance with the basic rules.