Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a popular warm-season turf known for its aggressive growth and resilience in hot climates. The most beneficial approach is to return the finely cut clippings to the lawn, a practice known as grasscycling. However, this strategy depends on consistent mowing technique and the current health of the turf.
The Environmental and Lawn Health Benefits of Mulching
Leaving Bermuda grass clippings on the lawn allows the organic material to decompose, recycling nutrients back into the soil. Clippings are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the same elements found in commercial fertilizers. This natural process can return up to 25 percent of the lawn’s nitrogen needs, significantly reducing the requirement for supplemental fertilizer applications.
The decomposition of fine clippings contributes to better soil health by increasing organic matter content. This improves soil structure, fosters better root growth, and increases the soil’s ability to retain moisture. Grasscycling also diverts a substantial amount of yard waste from landfills.
Required Mowing Practices for Successful Clippings Management
For grasscycling to work effectively without smothering the lawn, the clippings must be small and dispersed, requiring specific mowing practices. The most important technique is adhering to the “one-third rule”: never remove more than one-third of the total blade height in a single mowing session.
For a Bermuda lawn maintained at 1 to 2 inches, this rule necessitates mowing every three to five days during the peak growing season. Cutting the grass frequently ensures that the clippings are short enough to filter down to the soil surface, where they quickly decompose instead of clumping. Using a sharp mower blade is also important, as a clean cut results in smaller clippings that break down faster and prevents tearing the grass blades.
Specific Conditions That Require Bagging
While mulching is generally the better practice, specific situations require bagging the clippings to protect the lawn.
Overgrowth
If the grass is overgrown, cutting it back produces long, heavy clippings that form thick clumps. These clumps must be removed because they block sunlight and air circulation, smothering the underlying grass and causing brown patches.
Disease or Chemical Application
Bagging is also recommended when the Bermuda grass is infected with a fungal disease, such as dollar spot or brown patch. Collecting the clippings prevents infectious spores from spreading the disease to healthy areas. Similarly, if herbicides or pesticides have been recently applied, bagging for a short period prevents tracking the chemicals or removing the treatment prematurely.