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A side discharge lawn mower can save you a lot of time when cutting grass, but what do you do with the clippings? Aren’t the clippings organic material that can go back into the soil to fertilize it?
Not to mention the time spent raking and bagging those clippings to prevent the unsightly mess they make!
If you think a side discharge mower creates too much of a mess or that bagging is a tedious process, then a mulching kit is definitely worth it. Although mulching can’t work in every situation, it’s mostly a better option for your yard.
With that in mind, you should know when a mulching kit can be helpful and when to go for your mower’s side discharging feature. So read on to find out why mulching kits are worth it.
What Is Grass Mulching?
Mulch is an organic coverage
for the soil, usually made of shredded leaves, tree bark, or grass clippings. The main objective of using mulch is to retain soil moisture and protect it from the sun. The organic compounds in the plant material also provide nutrition and protection to the soil.
Grass mulching is the process of using the same lawn mower to shred the grass it cuts into fine pieces. The clippings are then spread out evenly into the soil, covering it without leaving any clumps. The grass mulch then disintegrates and feeds the soil, creating a greener, lusher yard.
Some mowers only come with a mulching deck, usually called mulching mowers. These mowers lack a side or back discharging chute because they work differently. They circulate the clippings under the blades to chop them up finer before pushing them into the soil.
So, what if you have a side discharging mower that you want to turn into a mulching mower?
How Do Mulching Kits Work on a Regular Lawn Mower?
Mulching kits are special attachments that allow you to convert your riding or push lawn mower into a mulching mower. They usually consist of:
- One or more deck blades with a special design to cut the grass twice to make it finer.
- A molded plug to close the back or side discharge chute that blows grass clippings away.
Some mulching “kits” only include the plug, mainly because some lawn mower companies include mulching blades with the mower. However, we’ve found that the blades provided by the company are often different from the aftermarket ones, and not necessarily in a better way.
Mulching blades have two different levels that allow the grass to be cut in two stages. Commercial mulching decks also have a fork-like blade that cuts up the grass blades even finer. This creates a final product that disappears into the soil, leaving no visible clumps.
The plug’s sole purpose is to prevent grass clippings from escaping through the chute, allowing them to circulate under the cutting deck. This process makes the clippings pass through the blades several times, so they’re cut even smaller than they usually are.
Are Mulching Kits Worth It?
Mulching kits are usually under $100, which makes them a sweet deal if you’re looking to skip raking and bagging. If you’re used to sharpening or changing your mower’s deck blades, their assembly and use will be pretty easy. Just make sure they’re compatible with your lawn mower first.
Getting a mulching kit for your back or side discharge mower guarantees you a fuss-free grass-cutting session. Moreover, the soil in your yard will thank you for all the extra nutrients it gets from the mulch!
That said, a mulching kit has some limitations and drawbacks. Let’s go over them in detail.
When Should I Use the Mulching Kit on My Lawn Mower?
Some people are pro the “set it and forget it” approach when it comes to attaching the mulching kit to their lawn mower. However, a mulching blade cuts grass in a different way than a traditional blade, so it may not always give you the best results.
You should avoid using the mulching deck in the following cases:
When the Grass Is Too Long
If you’ve just overseeded your yard and gone several weeks without cutting the grass, a mulching blade will create a huge mess with the clippings.
Aside from the potential clogging of the deck, the clippings will look messy and clumpy. There’s also the possibility of suffocating the soil and new grass with the heavy mulch.
The plug will also prevent the clippings from flying to the side, so you may need to go over them a few times. This will reduce the cutting efficiency and possibly scalp as well as tear some areas.
So, if the yard is looking too shabby and unkempt, maybe bagging the clippings is a better idea.
When the Grass Is Too Wet
Rain season can leave the ground soaked through, and the soil doesn’t absorb the water as readily due to the ambient humidity. The grass under a mulching blade will turn into wet clumps that stick together and cake the lawn mower’s deck. That’s not fun to clean!
Perhaps it’s best to let the grass “dry out” before you use a mulching deck on it. Just don’t let it overgrown, so you avoid the problems in the previous point.
If Your Yard Is Large and You’re in a Hurry
A mulching kit may indeed slow down the cutting process. Unlike in a side discharge mower, the double cutting that shreds grass into fine clippings takes more time.
So, if your yard is big and you just want to get the lawn-mowing over with, maybe you should avoid the mulching kit.
Wrap Up
If you have a lawn mower and were wondering, “Are mulching kits worth it?” Here’s your answer!
Mulching kits turn the usually discarded grass clippings into food for the soil and protection from the sun. They also leave your yard looking greener and more vibrant, thanks to their power of turning the large clippings into tiny confetti. In that sense, they’re definitely worth it!
However, if you’ve just overseeded, the yard has had a lot of rain to deal with, or simply don’t want to spend extra time mowing your lawn, maybe forgo the mulching kit.
Sources
- https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-mulch-1402413
- https://www.hunker.com/12586637/what-is-a-mulching-kit
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/advantages-mulching-39066.html